Claire Alexander

Claire Elise Alexander peacefully transitioned on December 7, 2025, at the age of 63, at Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital in Arlington, Texas, where she resided.

Claire was born on December 4, 1962, at Kaiser Hospital in San Francisco, California, to Edward and Jacquelyne Quinn. She spent her early years living on Central Avenue, then Baker Street, and later Fell Street, before moving with her family to Harlem, New York, in late June 1967. In August of that same year, the family settled in St. Albans, Queens, New York.

Claire attended P.S. 36 from kindergarten through sixth grade and later attended August Martin High School. After graduating in 1979, she enrolled at Delaware State College, where she studied for two years before returning to St. Albans briefly and then relocating back to San Francisco, California. In 1996, Claire earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, with a double minor in Creative Writing and Graphic Design, from San Francisco State University.

Claire, at a young age, understood and valued the importance of God in her life. Consequently, while living in St. Albans, she attended Majority Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Walter A. Jones. She was active in the youth choir and Girl Scouts. She also took piano lessons with her sister, Julia.

Claire accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior in 1987, upon joining San Francisco Christian Center, under the pastoral leadership of Pastor Donald E. Green and was baptized in 1988 during the church’s New Year’s Eve service. Claire immediately started living her faith through action and served as the church secretary. Subsequently, Claire became assistant to Bishop Donald E. Green (Pastor Emeritus), Pastor Roderick V. Gittens, and former Associate Pastor Joel L. Taybron of Legacy Community Church.

While at San Francisco Christian Center, Claire was deeply involved in ministry and lent her gifts to several ministries. She served faithfully in the Children’s Ministry, led Wednesday night Bible study sessions, and was a devoted member of the Women’s Committee. Serving her church family and the community was important to Claire who opened her home as a home group facilitator and host. She delighted guests with her delicious meals and desserts. Claire dearly loved her church family. As Pastor Taybron shared, “Claire treated SFCC like she was working for God as His personal assistant. She deeply cared about the work and the vision.”

In 1991, Claire married her former husband, Dwight S. Alexander, Sr., and from that union her beloved sons were born, Dwight, Jr. and Daniel. Her sons were the pride and joy of her life, and she devoted boundless energy and creative talent to nurturing them from childhood into adulthood. Claire was actively involved in their extracurricular activities, including but not limited to track and field, soccer, and even ballroom dancing. She was an active member of the San Francisco Chapter of Jack & Jill of America, Inc. until 2016 and she attended their annual camp with her sons. Whatever her sons pursued, Claire made certain she was present, supporting them with the unwavering love and dedication of a devoted mother.

Claire discovered her passion for painting and, in 2004, completed a short apprenticeship under renowned African American painter Richard Mayhew. She later participated in several exhibitions at the San Francisco Women’s Art Gallery. Additionally, that same year, she pursued her love of baking by attending The King Arthur Baking School in Norwich, Vermont.

In 2015, Claire relocated from San Francisco and made her home in Arlington, Texas, to be near her family. She joined Cornerstone Baptist Church (CBC) in Arlington under the leadership of Senior Pastor Dwight McKissic. Again, living her faith through action, Claire was an active member of CBC. She was a member of the Prayer Ministry, served as an Assistant Attendance Administrator for Women’s Sunday School, Women of Influence and the Morning Prayer Line, until she became ill.

After moving to Arlington, Claire continued to paint and bake and eventually opened Claire’s Bakehouse, a home-based baking business. She became well known for her signature pound cakes and her famous pecan tart. Anyone who had the pleasure of enjoying them would surely agree.

Claire will be remembered for her warmth, generosity, and unwavering devotion to her family and friends, especially her sons, Dwight, Jr. and Daniel, who were the loves of her life. She was also the ultimate host. Those who stayed with her were treated to a five-star bed-and-breakfast experience because Claire ensured every detail was thoughtfully and meticulously of the highest quality. All who experienced her hospitality remembered the care she took to make each person feel truly special.

Claire was preceded in death by her grandmother, Julia Mae Spriggs; her mother, Jacquelyne Quinn; and her father, Edward Quinn.

She is survived by her sons, Dwight Schirra Alexander, Jr. and Daniel Isaac Milton Alexander; her sisters, Stephani Johnson (Lawrence), Jacquelyne Landry, Julia Landry, and Maya Quinn; her brother, Jason Quinn; her uncles, Mordecai J. Spriggs and Edward S. Spriggs (Margaret); her nieces, Sabrina Johnson, Sherelle Johnson, and Sonya Johnson; her nephews, Raeshon Graham (Janika) and Kobi Graham; and a host of loving family members and friends.