Mr. Jessie V. Alston Jr.

“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heavens; a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted.” –Ecclesiastes 3:1-2. Mr. Jessie “JV” Vance Alston, Jr. was born in Camden, Kershaw County South Carolina on October 3, 1968, to the late Mr. Jessie Vance Alston and the late Mrs. Mary DeVaughn Lee Alston. He departed this earthly life on Saturday, February 17, 2024, at Trinity Health Ann Arbor Hospital of Ypsilanti, Michigan. Jessie V. Alston, Jr. attended the public schools in former Sumter School District 2 and graduated in 1987 from Hillcrest High School and Sumter County Career Center. While at Hillcrest High School, he was honored to perform with the drumline of the Wildcat Marching Band and run track and field. It was track and field that earned him scholarships to Appalachian State University, Benedict College, and Shaw University. During his time at the Sumter County Career Center, Mr. Alston studied and earned certification in Building Construction while working as an apprentice for his father’s business in grading and paving. In addition, he followed his father’s legacy with a love for baseball and the Alston Braves baseball team. He began his construction career in 1987 as co-operator of Jessie V. Alston Grading & Paving. Mr. Alston took his talent to Neptune, New Jersey where he worked for 84 Lumber Company then to Jacksonville, Florida before he returned to Rembert, South Carolina to continue operations as co-operator of the family business. He dedicated years of service to the family business of Jessie V. Alston Grading and Paving before deciding to relocate to Michigan as a grading and paving contractor where he was last employed with B & J Asphalt Paving Company in Romulus, Michigan. He was a member of High Hills African Methodist Church in Dalzell all his youth and attended Sunday school every Sunday. He was a member of the Youth Choir and Young People’s Division (YPD) under the leadership of Rev. Brogdon. Upon the passing of his late father, Mr. Alston became the primary operator and CEO of Jessie V. Alston Grading & Paving. Mr. Alston loved and cared for all he encountered. He never met a stranger and worked faithfully until his illness. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, the late Mr. Woodrow Augustus Lee and the late Mrs. Sarah Vaughn Lee and paternal grandparents, the late Mr. Jimmie Alston and the late Mrs. Susan Jackson Alston. Also, his beloved uncles and aunts, Mr. Manning “Claborn” Alston, Mr. Sammie (Margaret) Wright, Mrs. Lenora “Pie” (Charlie) Alston, Mrs. Bobbie Jean Rucker, and Mrs. Jimmie Lee (Freddie) Harper. He leaves to cherish precious memories and rejoice in his life, his loving sister, Mariam “Tonya” L. Alston or as he called her “Chubby” of Rembert, SC; his nephews, Hon. Brian L. Alston and Tyler J. Greene all of Rembert, SC; a cousin raised in the home, Ret. Major Darrell W. (Lorine) Alston of Woodbridge, VA; aunts, Betty Joann (William) Johnson of Camden, SC, Susie Mae Alston of Neptune, NJ, Dorothy (Calvin) Butts of Irvington, NJ, Helen Clanton of Columbia, SC, and Rebecca “Essie Mae” Williams of Neptune, NJ; one uncle, Marshall (Grace) Alston of Neptune, NJ; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Mr. Jessie V. Alston Jr.

October 3, 1968 - February 17, 2024