Myrtle Maude Alston, born to Joe and Lucy Alston in Chatham County, North Carolina, on September 4, 1922, grew up in Pittsboro, North Carolina. She attended school in nearby Siler City. There were nine children in the Alston family, three boys, Allen, Dave, and Hurley and six girls, Lula Mae Perry, Ethel Alston, Dorothy, Mildred, Mary, and Myrtle. All of Myrtle's siblings preceded her in death. Although she was the youngest in chronological order, Myrtle was the sisterly sibling that all others looked to for advice and counsel on many levels.

At the age of 19, Myrtle met and married the love of her life, Wilbert Willis Alston, to whom she was married for 62 years. From that union two children were born, Doris Alston Roberts (Leon Roberts, Jr.) of Greensboro, NC and Wilbert Willis Alston Jr., (Lativia Ray-Alston) of Duluth, GA. Her children were her personal joys and among her proudest accomplishments.

After completing a stint in the U.S. Army during World War 11, Wilbert moved his young family to Greensboro, North Carolina. Transferring her membership from Mitchell Chapel AME Zion Church in Chatham County, which she joined at an early age, Myrtle became an active member of Trinity AME Zion Church where she worked diligently. She participated in numerous fundraising activities, helping to raise money for the building fund and many other church projects. Myrtle was a member of the Trinitarians, The Daughters of Conference, and the Ladies Parent Body Missionary Society No. 1. She also worked diligently serving others. She frequently helped to prepare and serve food in the church dining room whenever the need arose. Her "pound cakes" were a signature item that were always requested and known by many to be "simply the best ever!!!" Because of her fashionable clothes and the beautiful hats she always wore, church members, friends and many others often referred to Myrtle as the quintessential "Hat Lady", a description of which she was quite proud to be labeled.

In addition to her siblings, Myrtle's husband, Wilbert Alston and son, Wilbert Alston, Jr. has preceded her in death.

She is survived by her daughter, Doris Alston Roberts; one grandson, Leon Isaac Roberts, III (LaShawna Roberts); a daughter-in law, Lativia Alston; three nephews, Billy Joe Alston (Gladys Alston), Jay Scurlock, and Larry Alston (Janet Alston); a step-granddaughter, Brenda Anderson (James Anderson); three great grandchildren, James Anderson, Jr., Roy Anderson, and Joshua Anderson; sister in-laws, Macie Hadley and Gretchen Alston; as well as a host of extended family and friends.

A homegoing celebration will be held on Saturday, January 6, 2018 at Trinity AME Zion Church, 631 E. Florida Street, Greensboro. Visitation with the family begins at 11:00 am followed by the service at 12:00 pm. Interment will follow at Guilford Memorial.