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Betty J. Alexander
Pioneer Betty Jefford Alexander
died Oct. 25, 1985, at the age of 69.
She was well-known in Nome as a miner, postmistress and Munz Airlines associate.
Mrs. Alexander was the last of the original Jefford family consisting of well-known pilot Jack Jefford, mechanic
Bill Jefford and their mother, Mary Jane Jefford.
She was born Virginia Beth Jefford, on June 21, 1916, in McGrew,
Neb. With her mother, she came to Nome in 1938 to join her brothers, who were flying for the old Mir-ow Air Service.
She worked as a beautician in Nome until she met and married gold miner Heuston Alexander.
For many years she mined
in the Kougarok, founding Tiger Talisman Placer Mine, a family operation that is still being mined by her son.
Devon.
Mrs. Alexander was the first woman to attend an Alaska National Guard encampment. Prior to that she was
trained to be on a radio team as part of the Alaska Early Warning System during World War II.
Mrs. Alexander helped in the family businesses of Alexander Automotive and Nome Cab. She was also associated with
Munz Airlines, where she ran a one- person office.
She worked at the Nome post office for 20 years, as postmistress
for six years, retiring in 1982.
Mrs. Alexander was a member of Pioneers of Alaska, Auxiliary Igloo 1, where she
held several offices. She was also a past president of Beta Sigma Phi.
She is survived by her son, Devon Alexander of Anchorage; her daughter, Dean Brown of Wasilla; and two granddaughters.
Source:
Anchorage Daily News, November 18, 1985
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