Charles Alston

In Memory of

Charles Nathaniel Alston

October 26, 1935 - June 4, 2020

In the spirit of celebrating the life of a gentle man, the Alston family announces the passing of Charles Nathaniel Alston, age 84, on June 4, 2020.

The third and youngest son of Norris Charles and Betty Patrick Alston, Charles was born in Atlanta, Georgia on October 26, 1935. In the good company of his brothers and cousins, he grew up in the city but still delighted in running barefoot beneath the pines in the red soil of Newton County Georgia where his family lived since the 18th century.

At age 17, Charles joined the US Navy and served as a Boatswains Mate on the same ship as his brother, Pat.  Sailing the open seas and traveling to Japan and the Far East were transformative experiences for Charles and he loved regaling his friends with entrancing sea stories.

Charles married his love, Katrina Ford Alston, in January 1960 and their daughter Gwen was born in December of the same year. Charles satisfied his penchant for travel with a career in corporate sales where he explored the southeast extensively and also visited Europe, the Caribbean, and all parts of the US. With his family he enjoyed living in North Carolina and Georgia, riding horses, and spending time on the coast. He was happiest sitting on the porch with a cold beer and good friends, telling stories, fishing, and grilling out.

Charles and Katrina retired to the beautiful Capitol Hill Community of Fountain Run, Kentucky in 1997 where they were joined by Gwen in the cottage next door and where Charles threw big, festive barbecues for his friends and neighbors.  Charles lost his beloved Katrina who passed away in 2009.

Charles met and then married his lovely friend, Helen Crocker, in 2012.  Together they enjoyed living and boating on Barren River Lake, wintering in Florida, and a very satisfying social life. Charles delighted in spending time with Helen’s six sons and their families. After Helen passed in 2017, Charles returned to his home in Capitol Hill where he lived with his daughter and son-in-law until he passed from this life.

Charles found every person he met to be immensely interesting and remarkable. He was a devout soul surrounded by friendship, laughter, and love. He had a gentle yet witty sense of humor, loved a good story, and valued his friends, family, and Creator above all else.

Charles is survived by his brother, James Patrick Alston, his daughter Gwen Alston and son-in-law Richard Horvath, his granddaughter Anna Horvath and her husband Dan Steeby, a nephew, three nieces, his beloved cousins, his stepsons and their families, and a host of very dear neighbors and friends who brought him so much joy.

Charles’ celebration of life service will be a video funeral tribute led by his pastor at Scottsville First United Methodist Church on Saturday, June 13, 2020.  You will be able to view the funeral at approximately 11:00 AM at www.twcrowfuneralhome.com by clicking the tribute video at the bottom of his obituary page.  It will remain available at TW Crow Funeral Home’s website for several months.  The Alston family would like to express sincere gratitude to all of the friends, neighbors, and family members who have loved Charles so dearly and brought so much happiness to us all. Thank you!

The video will post below at 11:00 AM Central Daylight Savings Time. If you are having trouble viewing please refresh your page after that time.