Bertha Alston

May 26, 1926 – January 23, 2022

SUMTER, S.C. — Bertha Alston, 95, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones on Sunday, January 23, 2022.

Bertha, who was affectionately called "Coochie," was the oldest child of the late William and Elease Grant McCall. She was educated through the Sumter County Public School System.

She met and married the love of her life the late James Alston on January 13, 1945, culminating in a marriage lasting for more than 60 years. To this union, four daughters and one son were born, but Bertha was an excellent surrogate mother to many others counseling, laughing, and loving on them throughout her life.

Bertha was a very civic-minded member of the community. She worked for several years as a Certified Poll Manager for Sumter County and supported many grassroots civil rights activities in the area. But her true passion in life was caring for her family who she often gave a gentle pinch on the cheek to show her affection and encouragement.

Bertha's life was built on a strong foundation of faith. She accepted Christ into her life at an early age and was baptized at Grant Hill Missionary Baptist Church. She later joined Mount Pisgah Baptist Church. While at Mount Pisgah, Bertha was a very active member of the senior choir, a pastor's aide and served for many years as the captain of the church's annual homecoming rallies, which helped to raise funds for the church. Much later, she joined Greater Mount Pisgah Baptist Church.

Bertha worked at the Campbell Soup Company in Sumter for 17 years where she made many lifelong friends.

Despite her busy schedule, Bertha was able to carve out enough time to cultivate an impressive array of plants and flowers, especially her beloved azaleas.

Bertha leaves to cherish her memory four children, Doretha (Robert) Edwards of Charlotte, N.C., Naomi Jordan of Piscataway, N.J., Wilbert Alston of the home, and Marian Alston of Middlesex, N.J. She was blessed with four grandchildren, Corey (Kharma) Edwards, Quentin (Brandi) Jordan, Trevor James Alston, and Joyce (Donald) Singleton; two great granddaughters, Milani and Sydney Jordan; and brothers Elder Clarence (Alethia) McCall, Elder Jerry (Elizabeth) McCall; Olin (Cherry) McCall; sisters Mary (Earl) Singleton, Annie Lee McCall, and Ruby Deschamps of Columbia, S.C., raised with her as a sister; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who are all part of her extended family of love.

She was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents Charlie & Carrie Grant, who raised her, husband James, daughter Annie Ruth Alston, and siblings Harvin Grant and Wilhelmenia Lee, Kathy McCall, Herbert McCall, Elease McCall, Azalie McCall and Willie McCall.