Glada AlexanderKnoxville, TNGlada Watkins Alexander, of Knoxville, peacefully passed away on Thursday, December 15th at Emory University Medical Center in Atlanta, Georgia, at the age of 77. She was born on July 7, 1939 in Loudon, Tennessee to the late James Ray Watkins and Dora Wrinn Watkins. At the young age of four, her father was diagnosed with rheumatoid heart disease and while caring for him, he nicknamed her "my little nurse" during her childhood; this led to her desire to pursue a career in nursing. Upon graduating from Loudon High School, she enrolled into the University of Tennessee's College of Nursing in 1957. Over a half century of her life was devoted to nursing due to her love and passion for helping people. She began working at Parkwest Medical Center in 1979, and continued working there until her passing. For the last 20 years, she worked as a Parkwest House Supervisor. She was a member of Ebenezer United Methodist Church and a woman strong in her faith. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Cyrus Bauman Alexander Jr.; her infant son, James; and her brother, James Michael Watkins. She is survived by her son, David Ray Alexander of Knoxville; her son and daughter-in-law, Roy and Ella Alexander of Knoxville; her two grandsons, Justin and Wrinn Alexander; her sister and brother-in-law, Aileen and Bill Morris of Tallahassee, FL; her three step-children, C. B. Alexander, III of Knoxville; his son, Chris, Kimberly Alexander of Florida, and Ginny Lynn Stanley of Florida; and many nieces and nephews. A celebration of life service will be held 7:00 p.m., Thursday, December 22, 2016, Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel with Dr. David Bluford and the Rev. Ann Robbins officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 p.m., preceding the service. Interment will be held 9:00 a.m., Friday, December 23, Highland Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the building fund of Ebenezer United Methodist Church, 262 S. Peters Rd., Knoxville, TN 37922. Online condolences may be extended at www.rosemorutary.com. Arrangements by Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel.