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Olivia ALSTON Obituary
She was preceded in death by her husband, Wilbert Alston Sr.; and son, Wilbert "Junnie" Alston Jr. and five siblings.
She lived a life of service to God through her preaching and missionary work. Olivia dedicated herself to serving others, and was "Mother Alston" to many, frequently offering her motherly advice and words of encouragement. Known for her good country cooking, many would gather to spend their days around her kitchen table as well as on her front porch. She loved the Lord, and could be found daily singing, praying, and praising God.
She is survived by her daughters, Egertha Cartwright (Everett) of Yorktown, and Gilda Alston of Newport News; grandchildren, Renee Conaway of Alexandria, Nikki Sedgwick of Newport News, and Timothy Sedgwick of Hampton; six great-grandchildren, and a host of relatives and friends.
There will be a viewing at Cooke Brothers funeral chapel on Thursday, Oct. 7, 2010, from noon to 6 p.m. and 2 hours prior to homegoing service. A celebration of her life will take place at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 8, 2010, at the Providence Baptist Church, 1331 30th Street, Newport News. Interment will follow in Hampton Memorial Gardens.
Condolences may be sent to www.cookebros.com. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Olivia ALSTON
Gilda Alston
November 5, 2010
Mother, I miss you so much. Thank you for praying for me all those years ago that I would give my life to the Lord. Your prayers were answered, and it has made all the difference in my life. I look forward to the day I will see you again in heaven. I will love you always. Love your daughter Gilda.
Egertha Cartwright
November 5, 2010
Hi Mom, It has been a month since you transitioned to a new and more precious life. I miss you so much each and every day. I love you with all my heart. I know you love me because you always told me. Your last words to me were "I LOVE YOU." That is what gives me strength to go on and live the way you taught me. I know God prepared a place for you. When it was time He came and took you home. I know you are happy to be with your heavenly father.
Love forever, from your first born,
Teyah Conaway
November 4, 2010
hi nanna i just want you to no that i love you and still miss you . you will never be forgotten thank you for always making us laugh when we were down .long as i got king jesus i dnt need no body else
.-love Teyah .-
BJ Conaway
November 4, 2010
Hi nana this is BJ and i want you to know that i love you too and i'm glad I heard you say those words. thak you for al the ice cream and cakes you gave me. I love and mis you very much.
Love your greatgrandson,
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Renee Conaway
November 4, 2010
Nanny its been a month now since you had to leave us. But you raised us well, and loved us dearly. I know this because I still hear your voice when my days and my decisions get rough. I hear you saying, "Hold your peace, and He will fight your battles", "You be kind to them, even if they are not kind to you." And when I hear your voice and your words, then I smile,and peace comes into my situation. Thank you Nanny. I will love you forever. Your grandaughter.
Timothy Sedgwick
November 3, 2010
I miss you very much. I love you and think of you often. You will always be in my dreams at night. In loving memory of my grandmother.
Love, your grandson,
Nyree Dowdy
November 3, 2010
Nanny,
You have inspired everyone that you have ever met,and will live on in the hearts of many.Few people can touch others the way you did.I love you so much! Your youngest granddaughter,Nyree
Nyree
November 3, 2010
Nanny,
You have always inspired and have been a role model to me. You will live in everyone's heart that you touched. When i grow up I hope to be just like my nanny. Love ,Your youngest grandduaghter, Nyree
Nikki
November 3, 2010
Hi Nanny,
It's Nikki.
I remember so many amazing things about you. I was amazed that there was never a day that you could not remember your Grandmother, Sarah or Sara Brown, when I asked you about her. You often told us how your Grandmother would talk about having lived part of her life as a slave in North Carolina.
Nanny, you are now with your Grandmother and all our other loved ones that you often told us you missed so much.
We miss you.
I continue to have to stop myself, when I think; I wonder what Nanny is doing and I'll go over and see.
You left such a legacy, but we know your greatest legacy is being with the Lord, as you have always dreamed.
Love,
Nikki
Bert and Nann Dale
October 11, 2010
Egertha, Guilda and Family,
We pray God will give you strength and comfort during this time. Reverend Mother Alston has left a great testimony and legacy for all who grew under her leadership at Providence Baptist Church. She was truly a "Mother" to all and was so loved by our family. May your wonderful memories and the footsteps she left fill your void.
The Pride Family extends our love and condolences to each of you. We also rejoice with you that she is now with the One that she has lived for and preached about and has now joined those she loved so very much.
Sabrina Newby
October 10, 2010
Mother Alston will always hold a special place in my heart. I always remember the wisdom she shared with me.
Mom & Dad (together in Heaven)
Egertha Cartwright
October 9, 2010
Egertha
October 9, 2010
Mom, I will carry your love in my heart always and forever. I love you.
I remember how you loved looking at family photos.
Egertha Cartwright
October 9, 2010
Mom, thanks for sharing in my birthday celebration
Egertha Cartwright
October 9, 2010
Telling us about the God's goodness
Egertha Cartwright
October 9, 2010
Angela Freeman
October 9, 2010
Renee, BJ, and Teyah,
Grandmothers are God's Angels on earth. They provide special love, comfort, direction, and encouragement that can only come from God. It's as if God gave them a special spiritual gift that they lovingly share with their grandchildren. How blessed you were to have a Grandmother as wonderful as Mother Alston. She's left you with love and lessons that will last a lifetime. The beauty of her spirit and her seeds of faith and wisdom will live on in you. May God the comforter be with you and your entire family during this time. May his love give you strength to endure and bring you peace that flows like a river. You all will be in my thoughts and prayers. Angela
Mra Addison
October 8, 2010
Renee, Grandmothers are very special people, both of my grandmothers passed before I was born, but I know what my mother means to my children. So I know you are going to miss her, but she certainly seems to have left her gift with you and your children and she will forever live in your hearts. Rejoice! For that she has been and is to you. With Love Myra
Rev. Kendra Townes
October 8, 2010
To Gilda and the Alston family, my prayers are with you. God will be your comforter and peace in your time of sorrow. Remember that God is with you, and so is my heartfelt sympathy.
Linda Cook
October 7, 2010
Dearest Gilda,Egertha and the Alston family,
Sorry to hear about the passing of Moma Alston. Moma Alston was the perfect example of what a Godly woman should be, her light was so very bright. I learned a lot from her,my first assignment at Providence, was being a usher with Moma, she treated me just like one of her own children, never sugar coded anything. May god be with the family,she will truly be missed, she touched a lot of souls.
Minister Bernadette Southerland
October 7, 2010
With loving memories and our deepest sympathy we The Southerland family extend to you our condolences!! Mother Alston has been apart of our lives sine we were children .. Always teaching us the word of God by always living that example before us.. She will always be in our hearts..
Brenda Cook
October 7, 2010
My prayers are with the family of Mother Alston. She was truly a mother to all young adults at Providence teaching us Godly ways. She will me missed.
Jacqueline Roundtree
October 7, 2010
The family of Michael and Jacqueline Roundtree wish to extend their sincere condolences to Gilda Alston and family on the passing of their mother.
She has lived a fruitful life here on earth, but nothing can compare to the life she now has with Jesus.
Peggy Allgood
October 7, 2010
Praying you'll feel the gentle touch of His presence...bringing comfort to your hearts and filling you with peace. I am so sorry I cannot attend however my heart and prayers are with each of you. "He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee...11 CORINTHIANS 12-9 KJV...PEACE AND LOVE Peggy Allgood and Family
norma williams
October 7, 2010
I am sorry to hear about the loss of your mother and grandmother.
she was a reader of God's word. I hope you and your family recieve comfort from the Hearer of Prayer.
Gregory Barbour
October 6, 2010
I pray that the family Renee and others continue to allow the Lord to use you as he has called your angel home to be with him to the ultimate promise. Gregory Barbour (Alexandria, Va)
Gwendolyn Johnson
October 6, 2010
Sorry for the loss of our cousin Wilbert's wife. It has been a long time since i've seen her. I am granddaughter of Cleveland and Flossie Alston of Nashville N.C. God bless the family and we will keep you in our prayers.
October 6, 2010
Dear Egertha, Renee and Family,
We are sharing in your sorrow and hoping it will comfort you to know that we are praying that God will bless you at this time. We thank God for allowing us the privilege of knowing Reverend Alston. We are sorry we will not be able to see you during this time but you will remain in our prayers.
The Langs
Fran, Vivela, Deirdre, Jason, Corey and Jared.
Kirby Alston
October 6, 2010
sorry for your lost of aunt Olivia Alston. But happy for her (NO MORE PAIN)she is gone HOME thank YOU GOD. LOVE YOU ALL Kirby Alston
October 6, 2010
Mother Alston was there for me and my sister's when we joined Providence back in the late 80's. She will be greatly missed. My God bless her family during this time of sorrow. Elder Jackie Morris, Atlanta GA.
You were the greatest grandma we could have. We love you Nanny!
Renee Conaway
October 6, 2010
Ann Knox
October 6, 2010
Egertha and family,
I was so sorry to hear about the passing of your mother and grandmother. You have my heartfelt condolences.
ELLEN F. WATTS
October 6, 2010
TO THE FAMILY OF OLIVIA ALSTON MAY GOD BLESSED YOU ALL.OLIVIA HAD A VERY GOOD LIFE I KNEW HER FOR MANY YEARS SHE WAS ALWAYS FUNNY MAKEING YOU LAUGH. ELLEN F. WATTS AND FAMILY.
HattieB. Harris
October 6, 2010
To Famalies of Olivia,
Your Mother was an inspiration to all that knew her, God bless all of you.
Kim Johnson
October 6, 2010
I was saddened at the news of the the passing of Mama Alston. I vividly remember the days at Providence when she would just sit and talk and love on me. She always talked about the splits in the skirts and said "Kim, when I go, you make sure you tell them ain't no splits in heaven!" I loved Mama Alston and knew she genuinely loved me. She taught me alot about growing in Christ and was a beautiful example for all. I thank God for allowing my life to be touched and inspired by such a wonderful lady.
Renee Conaway
October 6, 2010
Nanny,we love you and will miss you so much.You have been such a great example and guide in our lives and taught us so much. You taught us to love, to be giving, to forgive, to care, and most of all you taught us about the Lord. We know you are in a better place, and in no more tears, no more pain.We will miss your wit, your cooking, and your love. We love you but we know God loves you more. I know you are having the best time ever singing, dancing, and praising Jesus!!! Kisses to you Nanny from your grandaughter.
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