The Revs. James A. Alston (1923-1990) and Percel O. Alston (1925-1988) were sons of Rev. Robert James Alston (1895-1983) and his wife, Louise Josephine Alston nee Harrison (1898-1954). They’re also my great-uncles, brothers of my late maternal grandmother, Virginia Alston Braswell (1918-1992). I do not recall ever having met either of these men of God, but they certainly left a legacy for all.

Here are a few news items featuring them both:

Rev. James A. Alston Ordination Anniversary

1990 Obituary for Rev. James A. Alston

The Rev. James Arthur Alston, 66, a native of Norfolk, died July 2, 1990, in a hospital.
The Rev. Mr. Alston had retired as minister of Emanuel St. Mark’s United Church of Christ after 20 years. He was a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity.
Survivors include his wife, Marion F. Alston; a daughter, Gloria G. Alston of Petersburg, Va.; six sons, James A. Alston Jr. and Melford Alston, both of Saginaw, Daryl Alston, Joel Alston and Tony Alston, all of Richmond, and Lester Herbert of Germany; a sister, Virginia Braswell of Norfolk; four brothers, Stuart Alston and Alvin Alston, both of Norfolk, Robert Alston of Washington, D.C., and Alexander Alston of New York City; and 10 grandchildren.
The funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday in Union United Church of Christ, Norfolk, by the Rev. William Crews. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.
Riddick Funeral Service is handling arrangements.

Virginian-Pilot, The (Norfolk, VA) – July 6, 1990 Page D2
Copyright (c) 1990 The Virginian-Pilot Courtesy: Find-a-Grave

Rev. Percel O. Alston Delivers Savannah State Sermon

Rev. Percel O. Alson, 1964 UCC Promotion

Rev. Percel O. Alston and the Art Exhibit of 1965

Rev. Percel O. Alston, African Celebration, 1972

1988 Obituary of Rev. Percel O. Alston

Both Revs. James and Percel Alston were connected the United Church Of Christ . This affiliation was via their father, Rev. Robert J. Alston, who later became a pastor at Harlem NYC’s Baptist House of Prayer.

Additional materials on Rev. Percel O. Alston are available at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Amistad Research Center, Alston, Percel O. papers, 1949-1989 | Amistad Research Center.

Remember to check news articles, old clippings and digitized records, for details on your ancestors. While nothing replaces interaction with the person, there is a fellowship in finding out about the lives and times of our ancestors and however they may have worshipped.

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