This morning I attended the Memorial Service for Elizabeth Worth Alexander (Betty) at the Oakwood West Village Resurrection Chapel. About 200 people were there to honor the life and legacy of one of Madison’s Saints. Family, folks from her church, people from InterVarsity Christian Fellowship — an international evangelical Christian organization headquartered in Madison where her husband, John was President in the ‘60s, and friends like me.
We all wanted to pay tribute to a woman and family who have laid a solid Christian foundation in Madison. John and Betty opened their home in University Heights to establish Bible Studies, serve meals, and live as Christ commanded all of us to live: by loving one another. People were encouraged, blessed, prayed for, saved, and always cared for in the Alexander homes, even after John went to be with Jesus in 2002.
Betty would never consider herself a Saint, but many who knew her well would. She was 90 when she went to be with Jesus last week and she left an indelible imprint on everyone who crossed her path. She loved her family and she had an unshakeable faith. She was known for her compassion, humility, genuine interest and care for others which she lived out in Madison for almost 70 years.
I have had the privilege of personally knowing some of the Saints that have had such a positive impact on the spiritual climate in Madison. I am deeply grateful for the work of CRU, YWAM, and Navigators, as well as pastors and lay leaders of Christian churches in Madison. But the presence and work of the people of InterVarsity cannot be overstated. People like Pete Hammond, Lucille Badger, Steve Hayner, and John and Betty Alexander, have faithfully served God and served others through their association with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. The vision of InterVarsity is to see students and faculty transformed, campuses renewed, and world changers developed. It is no wonder that their work and personal commitment to Christ impacts the community we all live in. So it was with Betty Alexander.
Unquestionably their prayers and lives have laid a foundation that allows the Christian Church today to flourish in Madison. Thank you Betty, for enriching our lives and our community.