Alex Edward Booth Jr.

1925 - 2017

Alex Edward Booth Jr. obituary, 1925-2017, Stuart, FL

FUNERAL HOME

Aycock Funeral Home Young & Prill Chapel

6801 Southeast Federal Highway

Stuart, Florida

Alex Booth Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Aug. 18, 2017.

Dr. Alex E. Booth, Jr., of Stuart, Florida, died in his home with his adoring wife, Katherine, by his side on August 17, 2017. He was 93 years old. He is coming home to be laid to rest in the town of his birth, Kenova, West Virginia.



Dr. Booth is preceded in death by a wife, Permele Francis Booth, and survived by his beloved wife, Katherine Sawyer Booth and her two daughters.



Alex was born September 21, 1925, in Kenova, West Virginia, the only child of Alex Sr., and Roxanna Booth. As valedictorian of Kentucky Military Institute, Alex received a prestigious appointment to become a West Point Cadet at only 17 years old. After transferring to the University of Chicago in 1945, he learned of his father's debilitating illness. Alex left the University of Chicago, after only one year, during which time he completed what would ordinarily be a four year degree track. Alex received a Ph.B. from the University of Chicago, graduating in 1946 with honors and all A's.



Alex was only 20 years old when he came home to run the family coal business. By the time he turned 25, he had built a multimillion dollar corporation, serving as President of the Booth Coal Company and the Wise County Coal Corporation. Recognizing the importance of education to lift people out of poverty, Alex established the Booth Scholars program, providing countless young people in Kenova with college preparatory classes, personal computers, and the opportunity to travel abroad. Many of the Booth Scholars now serve in the most honorable professions because of Alex's loving generosity. He provided over 7000 people in West Virginia and Florida with scholarships to nursing school. Celebrating his generosity, Marshall University, Davis and Elkins College, and Pikeville College have buildings named in his honor. Alex received an honorary Doctoral Degree from Davis and Elkins College in 1993. Passionate about raising the quality of life for the elderly in West Virginia, Alex built fourteen nursing homes, beginning with the Roxanna Booth Manner, in honor of his mother.



Alex was a devoted trustee of the Huntington Museum of Art. Laboring alongside the renowned German architect, Walter Gropius, Alex worked to build an art Museum which rivals the finest of such in America's largest cities. In honor of his friend the architect, Alex funded the establishment of the Walter Gropius Master Artist Workshop series. The Huntington Museum of Art treasures many of the finest examples of modern art donated by Alex Booth.



Alex's great passion in life was to support the growing Church in Sub-Saharan Africa. Having made numerous expeditions to Africa, Alex believed that the African Church needed to develop her own leadership from within, rather than continuing to depend upon American missionaries to fill the leadership void. Developing partnerships with protestant denominational leaders in eleven different African nations, Alex supplied them with the financial resources needed to develop excellent leadership. The Booth Leadership Initiative was established by Alex as the vehicle through he focused his passion for the African Church. Since the establishment of BLI 40 years ago, Alex has funded theological education for over 15,000 African pastors, as well as the construction of over 20,000 churches. His generosity has reached millions of people with the love of Jesus Christ, and will for years to come.



Alex was a faithful husband who dearly loved his wife, and over the course of their marriage, Alex and Katherine traveled the world celebrating their glorious love for one another. When Alex breathed his last, he met Jesus, Whom he had served all of his life, and he heard his Master say, "Well done, well done, My good and faithful servant."



A reception and visitation will be held on Friday, August 25 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Huntington Museum of Art. The funeral will be held on Saturday, August 26 at 11:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Kenova. A graveside service will immediately follow at Ridgelawn Memorial Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Booth Leadership Initiative of the Outreach Foundation, 381 Riverside Drive, Suite 110, Franklin, Tennessee, 37064.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Alex Booth

Sponsored by Aycock Funeral Home Young & Prill Chapel.

What is your first memory of Alex?

Share a favorite memory you have of Alex.

Tell us about a special moment you shared with Alex.

Describe a time when Alex made you laugh or smile.

What is something you will always remember about Alex?

Talk about a shared experience you had with Alex.

What is something you did together that you enjoyed?

Describe a place or activity that reminds you of Alex.

Tell us about a personal story or anecdote involving Alex.

What is something you learned from Alex?

Not sure what to say?

4 Entries

October 8, 2017

Albano Ponte

Dr Booth was a godly messenger throught his life,
His love for his wife was emblematicly demonstrated
By his spiritual works on earth
His endeavors to help mankind ,was his true devotion and he accomplished it in many ways
God has blessed him and it is time for him to rest
In eternal life along side Jesus

August 25, 2017

Shirley Bias

May you all be comforted with the amazing memories that Mr. Booth has left for not only his family but the thousands of people whose lives have been touched by his kindness and generosity. I am a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Kenova and I had the opportunity to meet him when I migrated here 24 years ago. Mr. Booth was always a very pensive person. He was loved by many in this community and will always be remembered for everything he has done for each of us both directly and indirectly. We will continue to keep all of you in our thoughts and prayers.

August 22, 2017

Sandra Rawls

Praise God for everything that you did to further the cause for Christ! Blessings and peace to your family! Sandra Rawls
First Presbyterian Church
Canton, Ms.

August 22, 2017

God provided wonderful blessings through Dr. Booth so that we could be effective missionaries in Mozambique. His generosity made it possible to go with the Gospel of the Kingdom in Zambezia Province, and to found nearly 20 churches there in Milanje District 2001-2003, and to accomplish many church building roof constructions--among other blessings. We did not really know who Alex was until this humble man sat down with us at table at an Outreach Foundation banquet a couple years later. It's now 20 years since we first received our call to Africa and God would use Dr. Booth to allow us to carry it out, through the blessings of his generosity. And tomorrow we fly out again to Africa, our 10th journey there to minister. (We represent the U.S., joining others from many other nations, to preach and teach at the African Revival Evangelistic Network Conference in Jinja, Uganda at the source of the Nile.) Praise God for the willing and surrendered heart of Dr. Alex Booth! Our loving condolences, (Revs.) Charles and Diane Wonnenberg (Wakonda, SD)

Showing 1 - 4 of 4 results

Make a Donation
in Alex Booth's name

Memorial Events
for Alex Booth

Aug

25

Visitation

5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Huntington Museum of Art

FL

Aug

26

Funeral

11:00 a.m.

First Presbyterian Church

Kenova, FL

Aug

26

Graveside service

Ridgelawn Memorial Cemetery

WV

Funeral services provided by:

Aycock Funeral Home Young & Prill Chapel

6801 Southeast Federal Highway, Stuart, FL 34997

How to support Alex's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Alex Booth's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more