Melvin Alston, Jr. (aka, The Mighty Dume and Dudley) went to be with the Lord on July 21, 2013. He was born December 7, 1944, in Jacksonville, Florida, the first child of the late Mr. Melvin Alston and Mrs. Minnie Bell Hall Alston. He attended Duval County Schools and graduated from Matthew W. Gilbert Junior Senior High School in June 1962. Mr. Alston matriculated at Florida A&M University and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science, June 1966, and a Master of Education Degree in Guidance and Counseling, August 1967. He completed post graduate studies at the University of Tennessee in the summers of 1968 and 1969. Mr. Alston professional training includes: University of Miami Regional Drug Education Training Center, Certification In Addiction Sciences November 1975; University of South Carolina Southeast Regional Center for Drug-Free Schools and Communities, Certified Program Evaluator May 1989 and Edward Waters College The Grantsmanship Training Program completed 44 hours of training October 1989. Mr. Alston has served the Jacksonville Community as: President of the Democratic Black Caucus of Duval County; Precinct Committeeman; Chairman of the Fighting Back Community Coalition; Delegate to the White House Conference for A Drug Free America and United Way of Northeast Florida Speakers Bureau. Mr. Alston served as the Director for Counseling at Edward Waters College for thirteen years. He has been an educator for more that thirty years, serving Bethune Cookman College, Florida Community College at Jacksonville and Edward Waters College. He also served as Coordinator for Educational Services at Gateway Community Services, Inc. for five years. Mr. Alston is a member of St. Joseph United Methodist Church and serves as Lay Leader, Teacher and on several committees. He is a member of Mu Beta Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Mr. Alston's greatest passion was his love for the church and working in the Vineyard for the Lord, bringing in Disciples. He also has a passion for his portrayal of Frederick Douglas The Voice of Freedom during Black History Month at churches, community groups and schools. He was predeceased by his brother, Mr. Warren Tyrone Alston. He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife Mrs. Mary Bowie Alston; son Major Alston (Dionne); daughters Mrs. Tasha Nunn (Kalonji), Ms. Brandi Alston, and Ms. Terri Staten; grand son, Dylan Alston; granddaughter, Ayize Mckenzie; brothers, Mr. Kenneth Alston (Cherlyn), and Mr. Eric Maurice Waye; sister, Ms. Yolanda Alston; uncle, Roosevelt M. Hall; and aunts, Mrs. Elouise Adams, Mrs. Helen Norman, and Mrs. Josephine Fiveash Porter (Robert); sister-in-law, Freida Alston other relatives and many friends. The Celebration of Life Service and Wake (viewing) will be held at St. Joseph United Methodist Church, 924 Spearing Street, Jacksonville, Florida, the Reverend Deloris Demps, Minister. The Wake (Viewing) will be held Friday, July 26, 2013, 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. The Fraternal Rites conducted by Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. after the Wake. The Celebration of Life Service is scheduled Saturday, July 27, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be at Jacksonville National Cemetery, Monday, July 29, 2013, at 10:30a.m. Arrangements in care of Tyrone S. Warden, FDIC, 810 W. 44th Street
Florida Times Union, Jul 25 2013