Janis R. Alexander, 69, of Cranberry Township died Tuesday.

Born March 4, 1937, in Clarksburg, W.Va., she was the only child of the late Dorsey Lyle and Mary Jean Hardesty Laughlin. She was the stepdaughter of the late William A. Read.

She lived in Waynesburg, Ohio, and Fairmont, W.Va., where she attend East Fairmont High School until moving to the Pittsburgh area. She graduated as valedictorian of the 1955 class at Langley High School.

She immediately entered the West Penn School of Nursing on a scholarship, and all her three sons were subsequently born at West Penn.

Mrs. Alexander was a member of the Dutilh United Methodist Church since 1958 and served on most committees in the church over the years, including Sunday school teacher and choir director for 20 years. She also was chairwoman of the building committee for construction of the new church after fire destroyed the little white church.

Later she enjoyed directing the Cranberry Civic Chorale for years.

Mrs. Alexander retired in February 2001 from the Seneca Valley School District after 34 years as school secretary at Rowan Elementary School. She really missed the students after retirement and loved to return to read to them.

Surviving are her husband, James R. Alexander, whom she married in 1956; two sons, Matthew L. Alexander (Kathy) of Plano, Texas, and Scott H. Alexander (Debbie) of Carlsbad, Calif.; and five grandsons, William, Christian, Robert, Danny and Andrew.

She was preceded in death by an infant son, Thomas James.

<B>ALEXANDER </B>— There will be no visitation. A memorial service for Janis R. Alexander, who died Tuesday, March 7, 2006, will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Dutilh United Methodist Church, Cranberry Township.Arrangements are being handled by the <B>H.B. BRANDT FUNERAL HOME</B>, Ross Township