Joyce Alston September 23, 1947- April 27, 2017
Joyce Edwards was born on September 23, 1947 in Charleston, South Carolina. She was the sixth of twelve children born to John E. and Helen Edwards. She received her education in Charleston, where she graduated from Wallace Consolidated School. At a very young age, Joyce united with the St. Luke Reformed Episcopal Church, where she developed a closed relationship with the Lord.
In 1972, Joyce moved to California with her two children, Leslie and Daniel from a previous marriage. During the late 1970s, Joyce enrolled at the Electrical Technical Institute and after graduating, she began working at General Dynamics. While at the institute, she met her future husband, Roger Alston.
Joyce and Roger were united in Holy Matrimony on August 16, 1980. The following years, they welcomed a daughter, whom they named Tancy.
On April 2, 1981, Joyce joined her husband at Bethel Baptist Church, where she served with the Girls’ Ministry.
Joyce’s passion in life was childcare. She was very dedicated to the children and families that she cared for. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother of three, grandmother of thirteen and great-grandmother of six. She instilled the love of Jesus in her grandchildren on a daily basis. She will be greatly remembered for her incredible faith; for she fought a tremendous battle, she finished the race and she kept the faith. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.
On Thursday, April 27 2017, Joyce Alston answered the call from Heaven and it is there where we will see her again.
She was preceded in death by her son, Daniel Pinckney, her father, John E. Edwards and her brothers, Tracy Edwards, Raymond Edwards, John Edwards and Bruce Edwards.
She leaves to cherish her memory her devoted and loving husband, Pastor Roger Alston; her loving mother, Helen Edwards; her caring daughters, Leslie Pinckney and Tancy Stewart (GuVon); her father and mother in-law, Earl and Jennie Hamilton; her siblings, Clifford Edwards (Francena), Martha Wade (Henry), Ralph Edwards (Rosie), Larry Edwards, Keith Edwards (Belinda), Stanley Edwards (Ramona), Sherrill Thompson (Larry); brothers-in-law, Keith Hamilton and Earl Hamilton Jr. (Minjon); one sister-in-law, Marvell Bryant; grandchildren, Adrian Johnson, Trevonne Ector, Raju Ector, Jamal Ector, Marcus Ector, Tahjee Ector, Jeremiah Ector, Daniel Pinckney III, Ezra Pinckney, Zionnah Stewart, Zanniah Stewart, Demi Lade Badejo and Zhaylaa Stewart; six great grandchildren and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Services were held Friday, May 5, 2017 at Bethel Baptist Church; interment at Mt. Hope Cemetery. Final arrangements were entrusted to Anderson-Ragsdale Mortuary.
