Willia Alston (Waller)

Willia Myrtle Waller Alston was born on Friday, February 28, 1930, in Granville County, North Carolina. She was one of 12 children born to the late John H. Waller and Willie L. Waller. She peacefully departed this life Monday, February 15, 2021, at her daughter’s home in Richmond, Virginia, at 90 years old. Willia was educated in Durham, North Carolina and continued her studies in Raleigh at Shaw University. She went on to turn her passion for food into a career as a dietician and later became a cafeteria manager at East Millsboro Elementary School, Millsboro, Delaware. After many dedicated years in the food service industry, she retired from Howard T. Ennis School in the Indian River School District. On August 9, 1956, Willia was united in holy matrimony to William “Bill” Alston, Sr. The couple lived most of their lives in Seaford, Delaware and were blessed with four children – Debra, Pam, Billy and Tony. Bill Sr., preceded her in death on August 4, 2013. Willia was the epitome of a Proverbs 31 woman. She was a devoted wife, mother, sister and friend and was always thinking of others first. Anytime anyone visited her home, she would immediately offer them something to eat or drink. If the family came to visit, she would insist they spend the night, never wanting anyone to leave. When the time to part ways eventually came, she refused to let her guests leave empty-handed and always had goodies prepared for them to take home. In times when she wasn’t able to be with her loved ones physically, she would frequently mail care packages to make sure everyone was taken care of. Her absolute greatest joy in life was the love of her family. Along with her husband, she loved to support her children in their many scholastic and athletic endeavors. When the grandchildren came along, they continued to do the same. Willia loved to sing and was a long-standing member of Macedonia A.M.E. Church where she was a part of the Senior Choir. With her beautiful soprano voice, she was known to break out at any given time with an encouraging song or her favorite saying, “We’re gonna make it..” She was loved by many and her influence will forever remain in the lives of all who knew her. In addition to her parents and husband, Willia was preceded in death by nine siblings; Foye James, Aserlee Evans, Reecy Justice, Carlyle Waller, Saul Waller, Irene Evans, Maggie Thaxton, Martha Waller and Dorothy Waller. Willia’s beautiful life will forever be cherished in the lives of her children, Debra Green, Durham, North Carolina, Pamela Ross, Richmond, Virginia, William, Jr. (Sonya), Magnolia, Delaware and Anthony (Andrea), Newark, Delaware; grandchildren, Natausha Pettiford, Lemont Batts, Byron Alston (Taleah), Shakira Ross, Alaina Alston and Aidan Alston; step-grandchildren, Jordan T. Speight, Sr. (Carmesha) and DeRon Speight; great-grandchildren, Carrie Shah, Quinton Pettiford and Quan Pettiford; step-great-grandchildren, Jordan T. Speight, Jr. and Jaysen Speight; brother, John H. Waller, Jr. of Durham, North Carolina; sister, Margaret Young (Kevin) of Durham, North Carolina; sister-in-law, Mudy Stone of Durham, North Carolina; and a host of nieces, nephews and other loving relatives and friends. Lovingly submitted by The Family

Willia Alston (Waller)

February 28, 1930 - February 15, 2021