Obituary of Alice Alston

Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” - John 14:1-3 It was in the early morning hours of Monday, December 27th, 2021, where God dispatched His angel to Camden, NJ. He whispered the name Alice; gently took her by the hand, and led her home as her earthly journey had come to an end. Alice transitioned peacefully and absent of pain, surrounded by a family who absolutely adored her. Alice Alston, the beloved daughter of the late Viola Alston and William Alston, was born on June 11th, 1933 in Littleton, North Carolina. Though opportunities were limited at the time, Alice was able to receive her early childhood education in the Halifax County Public School System and upon relocating to New Jersey, received her High School Equivalent Certificate from the State of New Jersey Department of Education. Alice went on to complete 920 hours with the Manpower Development & Training Program at Camden County College where she would receive a Certification in Clerk and General Office Studies. Driven to greater levels of achievement, Alice then received an Associate of Science degree in Sociology from Camden County College where she graduated on the permanent Dean’s List; and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. There was no stopping her. During the early years of Alice’s profession, she worked as a seamstress in the fashion houses of Camden, NJ. Following, Alice also picked up work as a custodian for the Division of Youth and Family Services (D.Y.F.S). It was during this time, that Alice was also well into her studies at Rutgers University where a watchful professor urged her to take New Jersey’s Civil Service Exam. Upon receiving off-the-chart marks, Alice left her job as a seamstress and custodian, and accepted a position with the State of New Jersey’s Division of Youth and Family Services as a Social Service Aide where she was quickly promoted to Social Worker after receiving high praise from her supervisors and peers. Alice was a champion for children and a leader in child abuse prevention in the State of New Jersey. Throughout her illustrious career, Alice served on countless Juvenile Justice Symposiums, and was eventually appointed to the D.Y.F.S. Structure Task Force where her time and expertise led to the complete restructuring of the Division of Youth and Family Services in Camden, NJ. These changes were accepted into law and enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey in 1995. You may not know this because of her quiet and gentle disposition; but, Alice was a change-agent, and a woman full of moxie and grit. To know her, was to love her. And, she was loved. Alice was preceded in death by her brothers Lonnie Alston, Paul Alston, William Alston, and her youngest sister, Christine Alston. Her memory and legacy of excellence will live on in the hearts of her eldest sister, Elizabeth Brooks; her daughter, Lisa Tatum; and her four grandchildren, Yolonda Tatum, Summer Lynn Tatum, Brenda Tatum, and Anthony Tatum. Also carrying on Alice’s legacy are her four nieces and nephews, raised as her own, Gale Robin Shipp, Brian Alston Sr., Twila Carter and Marlon Alston; her eleven great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and loving friends. Lovingly Submitted, The Family Yes