May 15, 2019 at 06:40AM
DeCora Alexander, 20, was found dead in Union City Saturday in an apparent homicide. Her sister Leshia Taylor describes her as an "angel" and someone who wanted to keep the peace. (Photo: Courtesy of Leshia Taylor)
DeCora Alexander was a kind and gentle spirit who was passionate about dance and caring for those she loved. Family and friends describe her as a "peacemaker."
"She brought peace everywhere she went," her older sister Leshia Taylor said. "You couldn't even be mad at her, because ... she was all for positivity. She hardly ever got mad."
Alexander, a 20-year-old freshman at University of Tennessee at Martin, was found dead at the Union City residence of her ex-boyfriend Saturday night. The Obion County Sheriff's Office and Union City Police Department continue to investigate her homicide.
A dedicated dancer
Alexander's death sent shockwaves through the UT Martin community. She was studying health and human performance in hopes of working in sports management and health care, Taylor said. A long-time cheerleader, Alexander took up dance in college and landed a spot on the Skyhawk dance squad.
DeCora Alexander, right, poses with roommate and friend Lindsay Williams in their Skyhawks dance squad uniforms. Alexander was found dead in Union City at 20 years old on Saturday after an apparent homicide. (Photo: Courtesy of Lindsay Williams)
Her roommate and fellow dancer Lindsay Williams said dance was Alexander's passion and top priority. When they weren't in school or going out to Slide & Ride on weekends, dancing was her life, Williams said. They met in September when they joined the dance team. Both were former cheerleaders with little dance experience looking to try something new. They learned together.
"She didn't know all the techniques, but she always tried," Williams said. "She always pushed everything. She wanted to become a better dancer for the next year."
DeCora Alexander, right, poses with roommate and friend Lindsay Williams in their Skyhawks dance squad gear. (Photo: Courtesy of Lindsay Williams)
Taylor said Alexander had been involved in cheerleading since fifth grade.
"When we were kids, she watched all the 'Bring It On' movies," Taylor said. "She knew every movie word-for-word."
A caring sister and friend
Alexander was attentive to those closest to her. She is survived by five siblings and three young nephews, whom she adored, Taylor said. She tried to be with them and talk to them as much as possible and loved getting them gifts.
Taylor was used to getting texts and phone calls from Alexander often, asking about outfit and hair advice and giving life updates — "normal little sister stuff," as Taylor describes it.
DeCora Alexander, bottom left, poses with her sister Leshia Taylor, mother Teriny Taylor and brothers Deshawn Taylor and Devontae Alexander in a family photo. (Photo: Courtesy of Leshia Taylor)
"It's just hard, because I'm used to her (calling me)," she said. "They day before this happened, she was asking me about her outfit to wear because she was going to the Strawberry Festival in Humboldt."
Taylor's last contact with her was in a group text with one of her brothers.
"We all told each other we loved each other and stuff, and that was it," she said.
DeCora Alexander poses with her friend Aprecious McPhearson in Army uniforms. Alexander, who was found dead Saturday, was in the National Guard before she was medically discharged. (Photo: Courtesy of Leshia Taylor)
Williams said Alexander was like the sister she never had. They coordinated outfits, spent most of their time together and had matching tattoos.
"(She was) just someone that was there for me," Williams said. "She became like family."
Remembering DeCora
A candlelight vigil will be held at the UT Martin football stadium at 8:30 p.m. Thursday. Her family will release balloons in Alexander's memory.
Students in need of support can contact the UT Martin Student Affairs Office for help connecting to campus support services. Students can also submit names of those who are grieving and in need of support to the UT Martin Care Team.
Taylor created a GoFundMe page to help cover the costs of Alexander's funeral. As of 4:50 p.m. Tuesday, the page had raised $3,246. Williams said a bake sale will be held Friday to contribute as well.
"We're trying to get money so she can have a nice funeral," Williams said.
Reach Cassandra Stephenson at ckstephens@jacksonsun.com or at (731) 694-7261. Follow Cassandra on Twitter at @CStephenson731.
Read or Share this story: https://www.jacksonsun.com/story/news/crime/2019/05/14/ut-martin-student-decora-alexander-homicide-memorial/3670993002/
DeCora Alexander, 20, was found dead in Union City Saturday in an apparent homicide. Her sister Leshia Taylor describes her as an "angel" and someone who wanted to keep the peace. (Photo: Courtesy of Leshia Taylor)
DeCora Alexander was a kind and gentle spirit who was passionate about dance and caring for those she loved. Family and friends describe her as a "peacemaker."
"She brought peace everywhere she went," her older sister Leshia Taylor said. "You couldn't even be mad at her, because ... she was all for positivity. She hardly ever got mad."
Alexander, a 20-year-old freshman at University of Tennessee at Martin, was found dead at the Union City residence of her ex-boyfriend Saturday night. The Obion County Sheriff's Office and Union City Police Department continue to investigate her homicide.
A dedicated dancer
Alexander's death sent shockwaves through the UT Martin community. She was studying health and human performance in hopes of working in sports management and health care, Taylor said. A long-time cheerleader, Alexander took up dance in college and landed a spot on the Skyhawk dance squad.
DeCora Alexander, right, poses with roommate and friend Lindsay Williams in their Skyhawks dance squad uniforms. Alexander was found dead in Union City at 20 years old on Saturday after an apparent homicide. (Photo: Courtesy of Lindsay Williams)
Her roommate and fellow dancer Lindsay Williams said dance was Alexander's passion and top priority. When they weren't in school or going out to Slide & Ride on weekends, dancing was her life, Williams said. They met in September when they joined the dance team. Both were former cheerleaders with little dance experience looking to try something new. They learned together.
"She didn't know all the techniques, but she always tried," Williams said. "She always pushed everything. She wanted to become a better dancer for the next year."
DeCora Alexander, right, poses with roommate and friend Lindsay Williams in their Skyhawks dance squad gear. (Photo: Courtesy of Lindsay Williams)
Taylor said Alexander had been involved in cheerleading since fifth grade.
"When we were kids, she watched all the 'Bring It On' movies," Taylor said. "She knew every movie word-for-word."
A caring sister and friend
Alexander was attentive to those closest to her. She is survived by five siblings and three young nephews, whom she adored, Taylor said. She tried to be with them and talk to them as much as possible and loved getting them gifts.
Taylor was used to getting texts and phone calls from Alexander often, asking about outfit and hair advice and giving life updates — "normal little sister stuff," as Taylor describes it.
DeCora Alexander, bottom left, poses with her sister Leshia Taylor, mother Teriny Taylor and brothers Deshawn Taylor and Devontae Alexander in a family photo. (Photo: Courtesy of Leshia Taylor)
"It's just hard, because I'm used to her (calling me)," she said. "They day before this happened, she was asking me about her outfit to wear because she was going to the Strawberry Festival in Humboldt."
Taylor's last contact with her was in a group text with one of her brothers.
"We all told each other we loved each other and stuff, and that was it," she said.
DeCora Alexander poses with her friend Aprecious McPhearson in Army uniforms. Alexander, who was found dead Saturday, was in the National Guard before she was medically discharged. (Photo: Courtesy of Leshia Taylor)
Williams said Alexander was like the sister she never had. They coordinated outfits, spent most of their time together and had matching tattoos.
"(She was) just someone that was there for me," Williams said. "She became like family."
Remembering DeCora
A candlelight vigil will be held at the UT Martin football stadium at 8:30 p.m. Thursday. Her family will release balloons in Alexander's memory.
Students in need of support can contact the UT Martin Student Affairs Office for help connecting to campus support services. Students can also submit names of those who are grieving and in need of support to the UT Martin Care Team.
Taylor created a GoFundMe page to help cover the costs of Alexander's funeral. As of 4:50 p.m. Tuesday, the page had raised $3,246. Williams said a bake sale will be held Friday to contribute as well.
"We're trying to get money so she can have a nice funeral," Williams said.
Reach Cassandra Stephenson at ckstephens@jacksonsun.com or at (731) 694-7261. Follow Cassandra on Twitter at @CStephenson731.
Read or Share this story: https://www.jacksonsun.com/story/news/crime/2019/05/14/ut-martin-student-decora-alexander-homicide-memorial/3670993002/