Mrs. Mary Lee Alston

“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. Mrs. Mary DeVaughn Lee Alston was born in Rembert, South Carolina on June 26 to the late Mr. Woodrow Augustus Lee and the late Mrs. Sarah Vaughn-Lee. She departed this earthly life on Sunday, June 28, 2015 at Palmetto Health Heart Hospital of Columbia, South Carolina. Mary Lee Alston attended Rafting Creek Elementary, Ebenezer High, Fashion Institute of Brooklyn, New York, New York Institute of Business, Sumter Area Technical College, Central Carolina Technical College, and Pee Dee Regional Education Center. While at Ebenezer High School, she was honored by Who’s Who Among American High School Students, and crowned Miss Personality. During her summers in high school, Mrs. Alston worked as an apprentice in Long Island, New York for Eve All Show Girls on Broadway. On March 19, 1965, Mrs. Alston married the late Mr. Jessie V. Alston, Sr. and the couple was blessed with two children: Mr. Jessie V. Alston, Jr., and Mrs. Mariam L. Alston-Greene, and two grandsons: Mr. Brian L. Alston and Mr. Tyler J. Greene. She began her administration career in 1962 as the youngest school administrator in Sumter School District Two. Mrs. Alston dedicated thirty years of service at F.J. Delaine Elementary, seven years as acting administrator at Wedgefield Primary, and three years at Crestwood High before she retired. She returned from retirement and served an additional two and a half years at F.J. Delaine Elementary for a total of forty-two and a half years of service to Sumter School District Two. She was recognized by former South Carolina Governor Jim Hodges and Sumter School District Superintendent J. Frank Baker for her outstanding service to the schools and children of South Carolina. On June 2, 2015, she was honored by South Carolina State Senators J. Thomas McElveen, III and Marlon Kimpson with a Senate Resolution to recognize and honor her for her many years of service to Sumter County and to Sumter County Schools. In addition to her job as an administrator, Mrs. Alston served the school district as president of the Rafting Creek Parent/School Title I Board, as a member of the Sumter School District Two Title I Parent Board, and as a member of the Sumter School District Two School and District Educational Office Professionals, and as member of the Association of Educational Office Professionals of Sumter County, and as a member of the South Carolina Association of Educational Office Professionals. Mrs. Alston was dedicated to serving her community as well, through her involvement with the Girl Scouts of America, F.J. Delaine Chapter President, as a member of the YWCA of the Upper Lowlands, Treasurer of the Rafting Creek Christmas Club, and as a member of the High Hill Burial League. Mrs. Alston was a member of Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church in Rembert in her youth and attended Sunday school every Sunday. She was a member of the Sunbeam Choir, Sons of Abraham, and participated in everything where her talents in speaking and singing in churches could be celebrated under the leadership of Mrs. Wilhelmina Scott, the late Mrs. Geneva Washington, and all the Wade Sisters. While a member of High Hills African Methodist Episcopal Church in Dalzell, she was a member of Stewardess Board #5; one that she loved. She also served as a member of the Missionary Society, and treasurer for the development of the Youth choir. Along with her late husband, Mrs. Alston owned and operated: Alston Farming; Alston’s Barbeque Club; and Jessie V. Alston, Sr. Grading & Paving. Mrs. Alston loved and cared for all she came in contact with. She held many positions with a pleasant smile and worked faithfully until her illness. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her sister, Lenora “Pie” Alston. She leaves to cherish precious memories and rejoice in her life: her loving children, Jessie V. Alston, Jr. of Michigan and Mariam “Tonya” Alston-Greene of Rembert, South Carolina; her grandsons, Brian L. Alston and Tyler J. Greene both of Rembert, South Carolina; two sisters, Bobbie (Lawrence) Rucker of Rural Hall, North Carolina, Joann (William) Johnson of Camden, South Carolina; a nephew and niece raised in the home, Retired Major Darrell W. (Lorine) Alston of Woodbridge, Virginia and Saralyn T. Alston, Esq. of Winston Salem, North Carolina; sisters-in-law, Jimmie Lee Harper, Susie Mae Alston, Helen A. Clanton all of Neptune, New Jersey, Dorothy (Calvin) Butts of Irvington, New Jersey, Essie Mae Williams of Asbury Park, New Jersey, and Margaret Wright of Sumter, South Carolina; two brothers--in-law, Marshall (Grace) Alston of Neptune, New Jersey and Charlie (Precious) Alston of Winston Salem, North Carolina; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Mrs. Mary Lee Alston

June 26, 1942 - June 28, 2015