Mary Alice “Sis” Burr Alston, 89, passed away Thursday, July 25, 2013, at her home in Vidor. She was born on December 20, 1923, in Merryville, Louisiana, to Mamie Bennett Burr and Buck Burr, and had been a resident of Vidor since 1954.
Mary graduated from Merryville High School in 1942 and married Riley M. Alston on December 29, 1954. She went to work at Temple Inland Paper Mill (now Mead Westvaco) in Evadale in 1954, where she was secretary to the Chief Engineer. In 1983, due to rheumatoid arthritis, she had to take medical disability. Mary was a member of Eastgate United Pentecostal Church in Vidor.
Survivors include her son, Gilbert Alston and his wife, Betty Sue Reeves Alston, of Vidor; brother, Charles Burr of Port Arthur; sister, Bertha Mae McCarty and her husband, Jack, of Cleveland, Tennessee; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins. Betty Sue’s family was her extended family and helped to take care of her. Betty Sue’s sisters, Wanda Ling and Patsy Zoch and their children, always made her feel special. Amanda and Charles Green’s daughters, Courtney, Mallory, and Shelby, along with Charlie Atwood’s little boys, Bryant and Lane, always gave her special attention. She looked at these children as the grandchildren she never had. Her family knew her as “Sis” and she was a truly great Sis. Mary was a very special mother, mother-in-law, sister, cousin, aunt, and friend.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Riley M. Alston; three brothers, Reverend Murray E. Burr, Rollie Burr, and Bryant Burr; and sister-in-law, Mary Frances Herrin Burr.
She was also known as Aunt Alice, Aunt Mary Alice, and to her Eastgate Church family, she was Sis Alston. Her day was brighter every time one of them called or we would show her pictures of them on facebook. Yes, she enjoyed facebook because that kept her in touch with her family and friends. Anyone that she had worked with, went to church with her, or was a neighbor, would agree that she was a very special lady. Even though rheumatoid arthritis crippled her, she still had a smile and determination to take care of herself and to not be a bother to anyone. After Riley’s death in 1991, she continued to live in her home until January 2004, when Gilbert and Betty Sue moved her into their home so they could take care of her. There will always be a void in their home because they knew she was there because they wanted her.
A gathering of Mrs. Alston’s family and friends will begin at 5:00 p.m., with her homegoing service to follow at 7:30 p.m., Monday, July 29, 2013, at Eastgate United Pentecostal Church, 290 South Street, Vidor. Her graveside service will be 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 30, 2013, at Old Cypress Cemetery, Old Cypress Cemetery Road, DeRidder, Louisiana, under the direction of Broussard’s, 530 West Monroe, Kountze.
The family sends special thanks to Total Care Home Health in Vidor for the excellent care they gave her along with her aides, Barbara Johnson (who has take care of her since 1982) and Brandy Guidry; Dr. Maria Blahey; nurses, Elaine Stephen, Christie Patia, and Donna Haynes; social worker, Mary Aucion; and chaplain, Wayne Monk. We also want to give special thanks to Ann Sowell from North Main Beauty Shop who always made sure her hair was just right and was always faithful to come to the home to take care of her. Thanks to Brother and Sister Edwards and the Eastgate Church family for their love and support.
Memorial contributions may be made to Eastgate United Pentecostal Church, P.O. Box 424, Vidor, Texas 77670.
