Allan Abraham Sheldon Alexander

Allan Abraham Sheldon Alexander, 49, of Columbia, died on Wednesday, June 10, 2026. The funeral service will be held at 4 o'clock on Friday, June 26, 2026, at Shives Funeral Home, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext. Columbia, SC. The family will receive friends following the service.

"Well done, good and faithful servant."
Matthew 25:23
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Some people leave behind memories.
Others leave behind a legacy.

First Sergeant (Ret.) Allan Abraham Sheldon Alexander leaves both.
Born on March 12, 1977, in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, and raised in the quiet village of Mayo, Allan Abraham Sheldon Alexander lived a life defined by perseverance, sacrifice, unwavering discipline, and unconditional love for his family. His remarkable journey—from a young boy growing up in rural Trinidad to a decorated United States Army First Sergeant, devoted husband, loving father, scholar, mentor, and public servant—is a story of resilience, determination, faith, and purpose.
Although Allan was born to Annabella Dorcas McIntosh and Alvin Alexander, he was lovingly raised by Yolande Boodhram, Merle Pilgrim, and his beloved aunt, Marylin Joefield Williams. Their unwavering love, guidance, and sacrifices helped shape the man whose character would touch countless lives.
Allan's childhood was marked by hardships that would have discouraged many. Yet rather than allowing adversity to define him, he transformed those experiences into quiet strength, discipline, resilience, and an unshakable work ethic. The obstacles of his youth became the foundation upon which he built an extraordinary life.
He attended Mayo Roman Catholic Primary School, Williamsville Junior Secondary School, and later Pleasantville Senior Comprehensive School, where his adventurous spirit, competitive nature, and independent mindset hinted at the leader he would one day become.
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A New Beginning
In 1994, Allan immigrated to the United States seeking greater opportunities and a brighter future. While he proudly embraced his adopted country, Trinidad and Tobago always remained home in his heart. He carried its culture, traditions, values, and spirit with him wherever life led him.
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A Life of Service
Answering the call to serve, Allan enlisted in the United States Army, beginning what would become more than twenty years of honorable military service.
His commitment to excellence extended far beyond the battlefield. While serving his country, raising a family, and leading Soldiers, Allan also dedicated himself to higher education. Believing that great leaders never stop learning, he earned an Associate of Arts in General Studies from American Military University in 2016. Two years later, he graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Management from American Military University in 2018. These accomplishments reflected his discipline, determination, and lifelong belief that education creates opportunity and strengthens leadership.
Through exceptional leadership, unwavering professionalism, and an uncompromising commitment to excellence, he rose through the ranks to become First Sergeant—one of the Army's most respected leadership positions.
To those under his command, Allan was far more than a senior enlisted leader. He was a mentor, teacher, disciplinarian, protector, and role model. He believed leadership was never about authority—it was about developing people. Preparing young Soldiers to become confident leaders became one of his greatest accomplishments and his lasting legacy.
Throughout his distinguished career, Allan served in both Iraq and Afghanistan, participating in some of the most demanding operations of the Global War on Terrorism. Although he rarely spoke about combat, one of the battles in which he fought was later depicted in the acclaimed book and television miniseries The Long Road Home.
His faithful service earned numerous military decorations, including the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, multiple Army Commendation Medals, Army Achievement Medals, and numerous campaign and unit awards recognizing his courage, leadership, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication to duty.
Following his retirement from the Army in 2022, Allan continued his lifelong mission of service by joining the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, where he faithfully served fellow veterans until his passing. Though he no longer wore the uniform, his commitment to those who served never ended.
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Son. Brother. Husband. Father. Soldier. Scholar.
While Allan was proud of his military career, his greatest title was simply Dad.
On August 1, 2016, Allan married Malisa Alexander. Together they built a marriage rooted in faith, perseverance, commitment, and unconditional love. Their union blended two families into one, and together they built a home centered on love, service, and unwavering support for one another.
He embraced fatherhood with the same devotion that defined every aspect of his life. He was a loving father to his firstborn daughter, Anayah Alexander. To Allan, Anayah was more than his first child—she represented hope, legacy, and the future. Having served in combat and understanding the uncertainty of war, he often viewed becoming a father as a way of ensuring that a part of him would live on should he never return home. She held a special place in his heart and marked the beginning of one of life's greatest callings: fatherhood.
Years later, Allan became the proud father of Allan Alexander Jr., carrying forward both his name and the values he cherished most. He was also a devoted father to his beloved stepdaughter, Mikaela George, whom he loved unconditionally as his own. Together, his children became his greatest source of pride, his deepest motivation, and the legacy he treasured above all else.
Every promotion, every sacrifice, every deployment, every late-night study session, and every achievement ultimately came back to one purpose—providing a better life for his family. His greatest hope was to leave his children an inheritance far greater than material possessions: a legacy of integrity, honor, discipline, courage, compassion, education, and unconditional love.
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The Man Everyone Knew
Friends knew Allan as quiet, disciplined, and fiercely competitive.
Family knew him as dependable, protective, generous, humble, loyal—and wonderfully human.
To those closest to him, he was simply "Alex."
Away from work, Allan loved staying active. He enjoyed spending time in the gym, running, and maintaining his firearms with meticulous care. He appreciated classic American automobiles and proudly owned both a Chevrolet Caprice and a Ford Crown Victoria.
He was also an unapologetic Batman enthusiast. Whether it was a movie, memorabilia, or simply the symbol of the Dark Knight, Batman always brought out the kid in him. His family will forever smile whenever they see the iconic black-and-yellow emblem because it will always remind them of Allan.
Music was never far away. Whether listening to Soca, Buju Banton, or Garnet Silk, those familiar rhythms kept him connected to the island he would always call home.
One of Allan's greatest gifts was his cooking. Preparing meals was one of the ways he expressed love. His white rice with beef and pigeon peas became a favorite among family and friends, and everyone knew there was always enough food—and always room for one more person—around Allan's table.
Despite his remarkable accomplishments, Allan remained humble. He preferred celebrating the success of others rather than speaking of his own. His actions consistently spoke louder than his words, and his quiet example inspired more people than he likely ever realized.
In the months leading up to his passing, Allan had begun studying his Bible more intentionally. His growing faith reflected his lifelong desire to become an even better husband, father, leader, and servant.
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His Legacy
Allan believed that the measure of a leader was never found in rank, recognition, medals, or degrees—but in the lives he helped shape.
His influence lives on in every Soldier he mentored.
Every veteran he served.
Every student he inspired.
Every lesson he taught.
Every meal he prepared.
Every life he touched.
Most importantly, his legacy lives on through his wife, children, family, and the countless people whose lives were forever changed because they knew him.
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Family
Allan was preceded in death by his father, Alvin Alexander; his paternal grandparents, Hillary Simon and Ermin Simon; and his maternal grandparents, Charles McIntosh and Doretha McIntosh.
He leaves to celebrate and cherish his life his beloved wife, Malisa Alexander; his mother, Annabella Dorcas McIntosh; his children, Anayah Alexander, Allan Alexander Jr., and Mikaela George; those who lovingly raised him, Yolande Boodhram, Merle Pilgrim, and his beloved aunt, Marylin Joefield Williams; his brothers, Andre Keevin Alexander and Adeknu Emmanuel Johnson; his sisters, Roxanne Demarcia Perry, Eishah Johnson-Pajotte, Corozon F. Boodhram, Jahmai Donaldson, and Jahmila Donaldson; his favorite cousin, Billy-Jean N. Williams; his cherished lifelong friends, Tyrone Pilgrim, Reginal Butler, Quintin Guy, and David Mills; along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, lifelong friends in Trinidad and Tobago and the United States, fellow veterans, former Soldiers, and all whose lives were enriched by knowing him.
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Though Allan's earthly journey ended on June 10, 2026, his story does not end there.
It lives on in every life he strengthened.
Every person he encouraged.
Every Soldier he mentored.
Every veteran he served.
Every child who carries his name, his values, and his unwavering determination.
And every heart that will forever remember the man he was.
His life reminds us that where we begin does not determine where we finish. Through faith, perseverance, discipline, education, and love, Allan built a life of extraordinary purpose. He served his country with honor, his family with devotion, and his community with humility. His greatest achievements were not the medals on his uniform or the degrees on his wall, but the lives he changed through his leadership, kindness, and steadfast example.
Rest Easy, First Sergeant.
Your duty is complete.
Your watch has ended.
Your mission lives on through those you loved those you led, and those you inspired.
Forever Loved.
Forever Honored.
Forever Remembered.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Revival Ministry using the direct link: https://link.edgepilot.com/x/mvF34RwPwIQg6GfhHQm0Cbk?u=https://donorbox.org/revival-ministry-poverty-hurts

Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.