Odell Doris Alston

Our beloved mother, big mama, sister, godmother, aunt and best friend, Mrs. Doris Alston departed this life on December 5, 2019 in her home surrounded by her family and amazing nurse Joann Faltz. Our hearts will forever miss her.

Doris received her formal education from the Norfolk County public school system and worked for over 30 years as a housekeeper and child care provider for Robert Walker and Cynthia Cooper. She loved working in the yard, gardening, cooking, hosting family events, and canning.  She loved baking lemon cakes and her famous fruit cakes which she baked with her best friends Mrs. Bell Davis and    Mrs. Minnie Hughes.

Doris was an active member of First Lynnhaven Baptist Church in Virginia Beach until her health began to fail.

Doris was predeceased by her parents Henry and Sudie Wilson; her husband of  over 20 years Gid Alston; her only child Gladys Beard and five sisters. Doris leaves to cherish her memory, two brothers, Herman L. Wilson. Sr. (Georgia) of Chesapeake, VA and Vernon L. Wilson of Norfolk, VA, one sister, Mamie Gaines (Clarence Gaines) of Chesapeake, VA; her son-in-law Henry Beard of Virginia Beach, VA; her grandchildren, Jackie Davis of Chesapeake, VA; Robin Clark of  VA Beach, VA; Ronald “Mann” Alexander,  of Stoughton, MA; Ernest “Sweetie” Alexander,  of Boston, MA; Rosalind Barrett (Rawleigh) of VA Beach, VA; and Jermel Pierre Broadnax  (Cheryl) of VA Beach, VA; ten great-grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; one goddaughter, Deborah McKinney (William) of VA Beach, VA; one godson Jerry Davis(Tarrol) of VA Beach, VA;  many nieces, nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends.  

The cover of life’s book is closed for one we loved so well, and loving deeds of days gone by are what the pages tell. “REST ON BIG MAMA” 

The Family  

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