Gloria Jean Alston

Ms. Gloria Jean Alston, age 76 of Sanford, NC transitioned to eternal rest on Thursday, June 27, 2024 at the SECU Jim & Betsy Bryan Hospice Home in Pittsboro, NC. 

The Obituary

Gloria Jean Alston was born on August 28, 1947, and peacefully took her eternal rest on Thursday, June 27, 2024, at the age of 76, at the State Employees Credit Union Jim & Besty Bryan Hospice Home of UNC in Pittsboro, NC.

Gloria was the beloved daughter of Daniel Alston and Hilda Pugh Alston, and one of eight children.

Gloria graduated from Horton High School in Pittsboro, NC. After graduation she moved to DC returning after a few years and was employed at Webster’s Poultry Plant. She moved her family to Thomasville, NC and remained there for several years. She returned to Pittsboro and built a house on her grandfather’s land. She moved to Sanford, NC in 1997.

Gloria was a member of Union Grove AME Zion Church where she served faithfully until her health failed. She was a member of Lay Council, WH&OMS Missionary Society and Home Missions.  In previous years she served as President of the Stewardess Board, member of the kitchen committee, Church School, and floral committee. 

She was employed for twenty-seven years at Honeywell in Moncure, NC and for over five years for UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill, NC. Gloria worked tirelessly to provide for her family. Even after retirement she would work to keep her household going. She enjoyed decorating her home and working in her yard with all of her beautiful flowers and plants that were a site to behold. Gloria was a card collector that loved sending and receiving cards. She loved dressing up and styling with her many colorful outfits, looking like "Hollywood".

She kept a tree in her living room that she decorated for each occasion: Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter, and Fall, just to name a few. Gloria liked looking at action movies and her favorite soaps, The Bold and The Beautiful, The Young and The Restless, and General Hospital.

Gloria, a great cook, loved to cook for her family and extended family. She would always bring a 20-pound or more turkey to Thanksgiving dinner because she wanted to ensure that there would be enough. She made delicious potato salad making 20 or more pounds at a time. One of her cousins would say to her why are you making all of that potato salad, ten pounds of potatoes will make enough for fifty people. She would say looking with those eyes "I want to have enough".

She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Charles Pugh.

She leaves to cherish her memories: two daughters: Venus Davis (Ellis Antonio) of Lillington and Christopher A. Tabon of the home; three grandsons, Demanuel Alston of Thomasville and Shawn Alston of Sanford, and Demario Tabon; one great grandson, Dashawn Morrison; one goddaughter, Ivory Johnson; siblings, Jerry S. Alston of Sanford, NC, George Alston, Daniel Alston, Jr., Brenda K. Alston all of Pittsboro, NC, Ricky B. Alston (Claudia) of Germany; one aunt, Catherine Green; one uncle, Ernest Pugh (Laura Jean); a special cousin and friend, Helen Cotton; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, classmates, and friends.

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Professional services entrusted to Knotts Funeral Home-Sanford, NC