A LIFE WELL LIVED: ALEXANDER’S STORY

“But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, for he shall surely receive me to himself.”Psalm 49:15

Alexander Stallworth, 85, entered ultimate glory with our Heavenly Father on Friday, January 31, 2025, surrounded by his family. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, cousin and friend.

Alexander’s earthly journey began on August 9, 1939 in Evergreen, Alabama.  He was the second of eight children born to Johnnie and Ira Lee (Stephens) Stallworth. At a very young age he was given the nickname “Pig.”His humble upbringing consisted of a tight familial bond, hard work, and deep-rooted faith. He grew up on the family farm, working and playing in the fields, picking cotton, gathering eggs, and harvesting crops. He was introduced to the Lord at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Evergreen. His family relocated to Akron, Ohio, in 1946 in search of a better way of life and more opportunities. However, Pig and his brother Manson were left to temporarily stay in Alabama with their grandmother, Mary Stephens. The two eventually joined the family in May 1947. He was reared in Akron’s South Side at 1136 Andrus Street where he created a bounty of memories and went to Shiloh Baptist Church. His family home was full of excitement, as he and his siblings were close-knit, played together, cared for, and stuck by one another. Pig was defensive and no-nonsense about all of his siblings, especially the youngest three. He was an honorable son who respected and revered his parents and always came to his mother’s aid with her younger children.

He received the majority of his formal education through the Akron Public School System, last attending Garfield High School. Pig and his brother Bubba John were a mighty duo who loved to constantly engage in tag-team mischief. As a teenager, he notably gained much popularity and notoriety as “a bad boy”. He was well-respected amongst those in the neighborhood, some even saying he “ran South Akron”. He had a reputation and was notoriously one of the best fighters in the area and was a stellar athlete. He was an all-star, well rounded baseball player who excelled in each position. In addition, he was a spectacular dancer and always allured anyone in his presence to want to dance with him! He was a tall, dark, well-dressed, handsome young man with a strong physique and free-spiritedness. As the debonair, adaptable man he was, it was second-nature for him to acquire many friendships. He also had a way of captivating and mesmerizing the ladies!

He dutifully served this country in the United States Army, being enlisted as a Private First Class soldier. He was first stationed in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri as an engineer in July 1956, at only sixteen years old. He was honorably discharged two years later in 1958.

On October 31, 1959, at the age of twenty, he united in Holy Matrimony with Clarissa Elizabeth Powers and to their union five daughters were born, whom they coined as “The Big Five”. After the course of their time together they shared a platonic relationship with reciprocal respect and adoration for one another.

In the 1960’s he traversed his way to Michigan where he easily adjusted to the fast-paced lifestyle of the Motor City. He acquainted himself with several interesting people, and made friends—even befriending David Ruffin of The Temptations. After briefly living with his Aunt Minnie and Uncle Early, he established himself in the Delray Community in Southwest Detroit; there his children Alexandra Dechelle and Tyrone were born. There, he began his tenure working at Rouge Steel Plant and found himself earning a supervisor position. He established a dual residency between Akron and Detroit, eventually making his way back to Akron in 1970.

In 1969, he met Ernestine Quarterman on her first day, arriving from Georgia. Immediately won over by his charisma and enthralled by his appeal, the two began a courtship. Through the good and bad days, the two endured and weathered each storm that came their way. They welcomed a son, Alexander “Junior”, in 1973. The two officially married on May 21, 1985 and remained married until his passing.

To some “The Boss Hog” but “Pig” to everyone else, was a funny, quick-witted soul. When he told jokes, or poked fun at someone or something, you couldn’t help but laugh, even if you were the brunt of the joke! He would even poke fun at you as if you weren’t even standing there. And don’t let him see that you’ve gained weight, because he would call you a “buffalo” to your face! He endeared himself to many with his quick wit, cleverness, and humorous antics. He was adventurous. He was audacious, always willing to take risks, and sought opportunities; grabbing them by the horn to see where they led him.

Being one to love traveling, he took delight in trekking across the roads to Alabama (he once test drove a car from Akron to Evergreen—almost 900 miles), Boston, Detroit, and several family reunions.

Alexander was never one to mince words and had a straightforward approach toward everything. He was unapologetically himself—you either took him how he was, or you didn’t, but he didn’t mind either way. Having a tough demeanor, he was extremely pragmatic.

He loved to work hard and play even harder. He was a self-proclaimed entrepreneur and worked in the car wash industry for many years. Whereas many days, one could ride down Copley Road and see him smoking cigarettes and giving orders to the employees. More often than seldom, people would stop by the car wash just to get a cheap laugh from him!

During his free time, he loved to shoot the breeze with his siblings, reminiscing about the escapades of their heydays, or spending time with his wife and children. He was a big softie when it came to all his grandkids. He genuinely loved children.

Ultimately, to truly know him was to love him. Though he had a hard exterior, it was accompanied by a soft, sincere interior. Although he may not have furthered his education, he had an extreme and thorough understanding of real life circumstances. He could always be looked to by family and peers for raw, sage advice, whether you wanted to hear it or not. He had an uncanny way of getting his point across. Being extremely generous, if he had it to give, you had it to receive. He was always willing to help anyone he saw in need. He may have talked you out of a dollar or two, but he would share his last dime. He loved his community of family and friends and they loved him back.

In his later years, he developed a more personal and deeper connection with God. He attended Messiah Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of his brother Rev. Ernest Stallworth.

In 2013, after suffering a stroke, he moved to Boston, Massachusetts. There, Pig was cared for and lived with his firstborn, Tracey. He often said moving to Boston gave him a second chance in life; not only physically, but spiritually as well. He became a big fan of gospel artists such as The Canton Spirituals & Rance Allen, and was even able to attend their concerts in Massachusetts. As well, he used to watch his great-granddaughter, Kennedy.

Though he loved being around his plethora of children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren there, he longed for home. Subsequently, he returned to Akron in 2016. He was never a person who complained even during his illness. Though sickness struck his body, he never changed. He kept his same sense of humor, giving his caregivers and visitors something to laugh at or smile about until his last days.

His legacy will continue to live on in the hearts of everyone who was blessed to know him. Although he is not with us physically, the memories he created are priceless and cannot be forgotten. His spirit will live on in the smiles he brought to our lives. Though we may miss him, we rejoice in the fact that after so many years, he is no longer sick or suffering, but free from the hardships of life and is now at rest; as we loved him but God loved him best.

.

His parents, brothers Elbert and Wilbert Stallworth, sons Tyrone and Derrick Palmer, daughter Charlotte Quarterman, grandchildren Ashley Quarterman, KyRee Young, and Ahmad Ruffin, former wife, Clarissa Stallworth, and a nephew, Thomas McIver all preceded him in death.

He leaves to cherish his loving wife and companion of fifty-six years, Ernestine Stallworth, daughters Taj Tracey D. Stallworth, Jennifer L. (Donald Martin) Mitchner, Misty L. Noiles, and Chantette M. Stallworth all of Boston, MA, Alexandria (Glenn) Bendolph of Glendora, CA, Alexandra D. (Angelo Ashmon) Palmer of Detroit, MI, and Laquetta D. Quarterman and Jacqueline A. Greer of Akron, OH; sons Bryant L. Roberts, Alexander (Margaritta) Quarterman, Kalvin Watson and Kevin (Alaine) Watson all of Akron, and Pastor Donnell A. Stallworth (Vianey) Mann of Houston, TX; adoptive son Ricky Palmer of Detroit; brothers John Stallworth Jr. and Rev. Ernest (Marcia) Stallworth, both of Akron; sisters Mary Drake, Ernestine Thornton, and Imo Jean McIver all of Akron; aunts Minnie Tolbert and Mary Gross of Detroit, uncle Mack Stephens of Akron; sisters-in-law Carolyn Lee, Irene Harris, Geneva Williams, Margie (Ronnie) Brooks, Rosalyn Sanchious, Lovell Foster, Sheila (Victor) Varner, and Sandra Stallworth, brothers-in-law Tommie Jr. (Patrice), Graylan (Camilla), and Bernie (Dorothy) Quarterman; a special niece Laureen Akili, a special nephew Isaiah Washington, 36 grandchildren, 43 great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and all who loved him dearly.