Deacon Wilbert Charles Alston

On April 14, 1949, in Los Angeles, California, the Superintendent Cleo Martin Alston and Johnnie Lee McGraw were blessed with their eighth and final child, a vibrant baby boy. They named him Wilbert Charles Alston. His seven siblings preceded him in death.

Being born and raised in a strong Christian family he was saved in his youth, and dedicated himself to labor in the work of the Lord. He was musically inclined and learned to play many instruments which made him an asset to his family church, Holy Mountain Church of God in Christ of Los Angeles, where his father served as pastor. He later followed in his father’s footsteps and became the interim Pastor at Holy Mountain Church of God in Christ.

His early education took place in the Los Angles Unified School District where he graduated from Manuel Arts High School. He continued on through Junior College. This basic foundation equipped him to provide for himself and his newly formed family. Wilbert and Omega (Johnson) married in their youthful years and to this union was born Allesha Alston, their only child.

On December 1, 1973 Wilbert (aka AL) began his career with the Department of Transportation, Bureau of Parking Enforcement and Traffic Control. In his quest for career growth, Al was promoted to a newly formed department within the Los Angeles City Video / Media Unit. For many years he attended extension courses at UCLA and received specialized training in video production, editing, script writing, and overall video graphics. Al received additional training in Supervisory Leadership and Communication Skills. After 33 years of dedicated service to the City Of Los Angeles, Al retired on December 3, 2003, as a Senior Traffic Supervisor 1 with the rank of Sergeant. After retirement he formed his own business, Al & Sparkle Artistic Productions (ASAP), and became a highly sought after Videographer.

During the early winter years of his life, after the death of Omega, he formed a friendship and spiritual bond with Frankie Maryland who would become his soul mate and wife. God blessed this couple to be equally yoked in the ministry of helps. Later he became a Deacon, a Member of the Board of Directors, and the CEO of the Video/ Media Department of New Direction Church of God in Christ in Pomona / Rancho Cucamonga, California. Alongside their spiritual work, the happy fun loving couple found time for rest and relaxation. During their marriage, they traveled extensively covering five continents and seven seas.

On August 22, 2013 Wilbert took flight in the middle of the night to meet his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His crossing over was prayerfully done with his spiritual leaders, family and loved ones. He now goes to meet his parents, Cleo & Johnnie McGraw, and his sisters and brothers; Cleo Martin Jr, Harold Freddie, James Benny, Lemuel Eugene, Marlene Poe, Arti-Nell King and Ruth Shirley-Ann Martin.

Left to celebrate his life well lived and memories to cherish, his dearly beloved wife Dr. Frankie Maryland-Alston; daughter Allisha Alston and grandson Joshua Alston; two blended sons Karl & Kevin Maryland; two blended grandson’s, Kili & Omar Maryland, several sister- in- laws, 4 nephews, 11 nieces, 17 great nephews, 9 great nieces, and a host of friends and family that loved him dearly.