LELAND, Mississippi - Memorial Services for Dr. Kelly Drew Alexander Jr. were held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at First Baptist Church, Leland. He was received by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as he entered his eternal home on Saturday, February 28 at Mississippi Care Center, Greenville. Services were under the direction of Boone Funeral Home, Leland.
Kelly Drew was born on January 28, 1938, in Greenville and was a lifelong resident of the Mississippi Delta community. Upon graduation from Dental School at the University of Tennessee, Memphis, he served his beloved country as a Captain in the U.S. Army at Fort Irwin, California for 3 years. After that time, he moved back to Hollandale with his wife, Beverly, and their 3 daughters. He began his Dental practice in Hollandale and worked for more than 55 years. A pillar of the community, Kelly Drew served on various boards and committees including the Rotary Club of Hollandale and The Red Cross of Washington County performing in 10 Red Cross Dinner Theater programs. Kelly Drew was a devout Christian and a lifetime deacon at the Hollandale Baptist Church. He taught Sunday School for more than 50 years and served as chairman of the Deacons for numerous years. His love of music was great, and he played the piano for the Hollandale Baptist Church for many years and Magnolia Gardens' church services when needed. Kelly Drew also loved reading and writing and was instrumental in establishing the Hollandale Library in Hollandale. Through his studies, he wrote and published 2 books: The Deep Things of God and The Ark of the Covenant for Lay Persons. After his retirement, he and Beverly moved to Leland and joined First Baptist Church. They became members of Sunday school classes and participated in the choir continuing to express their lifelong love of music. Kelly Drew was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend and was affectionately called "Poppy" by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Beverly Nolan Alexander of Greenville; three daughters: Marily Alexander Joyner of Brandon, Joy Alexander Fratesi and her husband, Kenny, of Leland, and Pollyanna Alexander Higgs and her husband, Billy, of Jasper, Alabama; 5 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren: Taylor Fratesi Nicolosi and her husband, Evan, of St. Augustine, Florida and their 3 children, Olivia Grace (11), Natalie Jean (5), and Joy Beckett (3); Brooke Fratesi Mosow and her husband, Matthew, of Greenville, and their 2 children, Richard Kenneth "Ricky" (5), and Clary Brooke (3); Dorothy Grace "Dottie" Higgs of Brentwood, Tennessee; Joseph Atticus Higgs of Jasper; and Grace Hannah Joyner Knight and her husband, Lee, of Jackson.
Kelly Drew's family deeply appreciates and is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and sympathy from friends and family. We thank our Lord and Savior for the blessing of Kelly Drew's life, love, and wisdom he conveyed while here on this earth. We praise our Lord that his Christian example will live on.
A visitation was held at First Baptist after the services on Tuesday. Memorials may be made to Hollandale Baptist Church or to a charity of the donor's choice.
