Ms. Marybeth Alexander was born May 15, 1959, in Miami, Fla., a daughter to the late James and Betty Alexander, and passed peacefully at her home in Folly’s Creek on Monday, April 25, 2022. Not long after she was born, the family moved to Montauk, N.Y., where Marybeth spent much of her childhood. It was there that she found her love and passion for all things equestrian. She rode dressage, competed, and won with the horse she would go on to forever talk about, Oralla. Much like Betty, a marine biologist, MB had an innate love for the ocean and enjoyed surfing.
Marybeth attended Slippery Rock College in Pennsylvania for a few semesters before the trio relocated to Pocomoke City, Md. James, now a Ph.D., and Betty had both been hired to work on Wallops Island. Several years later, a 21-year-old Marybeth attended an event at the Pocomoke Holiday Inn, with the band Charade as entertainment. There, she met Richard, the drummer, and her future husband. They soon relocated to Parksley and grew their family with a daughter, Lauren, and then a son, Alex.
Marybeth always had a passion for helping others, which led her to attend registered nursing school at the Eastern Shore Community College. She obtained her RN degree without a hitch and worked for Northampton-Accomack Memorial Hospital, making many friends along the way. Although she and Richard made the decision to go their separate ways, they remained lifelong friends. MB then went on to work as an RN in California, Georgia, and Texas. During that time, she remarried and had two daughters, Cailley Vaughan, 22, and Marilee Vaughan, 19, currently of Texas. Later, she returned to the Eastern Shore, where she spent time with and cared for her parents. Her career in the healthcare industry continued, working at Arcadia Nursing Home & Quail Run.
Marybeth was beautiful, highly intelligent, witty, stubborn, and an amazing mom. Her children; granddaughter, Lynnlee Lewis, 4; and granddog, Bella, 12, kept her going even when she thought she couldn’t. There are no words to describe how much she will be missed, but the family finds comfort in knowing she has found the same. Her “bonus-son,” Mio Ward, and his fiancée, Jennifer, lived with and cared for Marybeth over the last year and made many sacrifices. MB wouldn’t listen to Lauren, but she sure did listen to Mio. He, Jen, and their children provided her so much joy in a time that wasn’t so pleasant and for that, the family is eternally grateful. She was able to spend her last Saturday on Earth with her huge, blended family at her ex-husband’s home. Lynnlee and Alex took her on a Kubota ride where they laughed and had fun.
To honor her wishes, she will be cremated. The family will hold a private memorial service at Richard’s home. Those who wish to make a contribution in her memory, please consider donating to the Eastern Shore SPCA, P.O. Box 164, Onley, VA 23418 (www.easternshorespca.com), or to Friends of Animal Control Eastern Shore (FACES), 18299 Killmontown Road, Melfa, VA 23410.
Condolences and fond memories of Marybeth may be shared at www.williamsfuneralhomes.com
Arrangements are by the Williams-Parksley Funeral Home.
