Ada Bell Alston

Ada Bell Alston was born on October 8, 1926, in rural Warren County, North Carolina. She was the daughter of the late John Henry Simms and Flonnie Robinson. She was the fourth of seven children. Ada was the oldest female and caretaker in her adolescence, assisting with the raising of her brothers and sisters. She was know for her motto, “I am a small seed, but a bitter weed”, the small but resilient leader of the pack. She attended Enon Baptist Church. In the late 1930’s, she met David June Alston, the son of a civil war veteran. David enlisted in the Army and promised to come home and marry her. David returned in 1942 and married his love, before heading to WWII, honorably serving in Normandy, France. Ada bore four children in North Carolina. She was known for carrying a red bucket and washrag and prided herself on keeping her kids clean. After her husband was honorably discharged, the family made the decision to move north, in search of jobs and better opportunities for people of color. In the early 1950’s, the family made the migration to Harlem, New York, later settling in Brooklyn, New York. Ada bore four more children in New York, totaling eight; five girls and three boys. The family attended Messiah Baptist Church. Their motto was “Serve the Lord with all of your heart, no church Sunday, no play time on Sunday.” Raised as devout Christians, Mr. & Mrs. Alston taught their children to love the Lord with all of their mind, heart, and faith. Mr. Alston served on the Usher Board and Mrs. Alston was very active in the church ministry, as well as chaperoning church events, such as the church visit to Danbury State Fair. Ada was also active in the Cypress Hills community of East New York, whether it was bonding and swapping cultural dishes with neighbors and volunteering at the Cypress Hills Community Center. She was a skilled seamstress, hair dresser, and also offered laundry services. She was known for the beautiful outfits that she made for her children. Everyone also loved her Southern-belle cooking in “The Big Apple”, and was known for her fried fish Fridays, and dishes such as collared greens, cornbread, biscuits and her legendary home fries. She would awake at 4:00 a.m. to make a hot lunch every morning for her husband. The container she packed always come home empty. She was a loving but firm, no-nonsense person; she could read people and their intentions. She would say, “Do the right thing, and then do the next right thing, that will lead you to the next right thing after that.” The ever-loving matriarch always stepped in to give a helping hand where needed, volunteering her services and giving love. She continuously and fiercely fought to keep her family on the right path. She and her husband stepped up to take care of her intellectually disabled oldest brother, Percy Simms, for 40 years. She also raised her beloved grandchildren, Monique Desiree Cochran, Freddy Camellow, and Herreida Alston, after the untimely death of her daughter, Sally Ann Alston. Mrs. Alston also helped raise her sisters’ son, Lawrence Kurtis Thomas, who was like a son to her. In 1983, Mr. and Mrs. Alston decided to retire to Dover, Delaware, switching to a quieter life, following their older son, Vernon. Ever-vigilant, their son, Daniel, moved to Delaware to assist his parents in their older years. Ada & David lovingly grew vegetables and fruit in their garden. Building the utopia that was Grandma’s house, Ada continued to fry fish on Fridays and make new friends in her new home in Delaware. They were long-standing members of Bibleway Church of God in Christ, Dover, Delaware. She was affectionately known as “Mother Ada” by the congregation. Two of her favorite hymns were “Rough Side of the Mountain”, and “We’ve Come This Far by Faith”. She believed, that by faith all things are possible and that everyone should “Pray to God for His wisdom and strength to guide you.” Ada and Dave spent years traveling and visiting their children and grandchildren, going to the ends of the earth to support their family. Family members were always eager to visit and have a good time. If you sat a while, the whole family might drop by and sit under the porch. Over the years, Valerie Karen Daniel, Florence Denise Alston and Aida Frierson, also moved to Delaware. Ada and Dave’s home on Joshua Clayton Road was never empty for long. In 1994, after 50 plus years of marriage, her husband David Alston passed. Ada stated, “The mold was broken when they made my husband.” She decided not to remarry and wait to see him again in heaven. Ada Bell Alston continued to love and nurture her family for an additional twenty-four years. In 2010, she retired to Governor Bacon Health Center. Even then, she continued to entertain the nurses, doctors and staff with her smiles and dancing. She would sing, “Honey you, are my shining star, and don’t you go away, oh baby!” Where there is love, there is joy. Ada Bell Alston spread love and brought joy to those that knew her and loved her dearly. Ada Bell Alston, age 91, died peacefully, surrounded by her children, on Tuesday, July 17, 2018. She was preceded in death by brothers, Jesse Simms, Sr., Percy Lee Simms, T. Ellis Simms, Sr.; sister, Laura Frances Simms; and daughters, Sally Ann Alston and Florence Denise Alston. Ada Bell Alston is mourned by her children, Christine Diggs, Sally Ann Alston, Vernon Alston, Aida Frierson, David Alston, Jr., Daniel Alston, Sr., and Valerie Karen Daniel; brothers, Archie Simms, Jimmy Simms; sister-in-law, Oria Alston; a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, great-great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and extended family. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ada Bell Alston, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

Ada Bell Alston

October 8, 1926 - July 17, 2018