Deacon John O. Alston

Albany- JOHN OTIS ALSTON, 73, passed away July 14, 2025. He  was born December 18, 1951, in Charleston, South Carolina to the late Ms. Priscilla Nicks and Mr. William Scott.

John moved to New York in the early 70’s and completed his education in the Brooklyn school system. After realizing that for a long time he needed to overcome many issues that were plaguing his life, John decided to move to Albany. He knew he did not want to remain in the shape he was in, so he entered a program where he could get help. He enrolled in the Homer Perkins Program and remained there until he was rehabilitated. He knew he had some work to do and knew he needed to have a better relationship with GOD in order to get to where he needed to go when it was time.

In 1999, John joined the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church under the Pastorship of Reverend William E. Morgan and continued his walk with the LORD. While at Mount Pleasant, he became a member of the Senior Choir and Male Voices. He faithfully attended Sunday School and bible study as well as attended Christian Education classes offered at the local, state and national levels. He was as a member of the Laymens Ministry of the Hudson River Frontier Missionary Baptist Association (HRFMBA) and completed many courses in the HRFMBA Christian Leadership school and was even extremely proud to be able to attend the National Baptist Convention with Pastor Morgan. Anytime and anywhere, he could, John could be found reading his Bible taking in as much of God’s Word as he could in order to keep his life together. Eventually, John became a Sunday School teacher which he loved. After withstanding the rigorous training administered by Reverend Morgan, John was ordained as a Deacon on August 27, 2006, and became an intricate and active member of the Diaconate Ministry. As a Deacon, John had no problem witnessing and testifying to others about his life as a young man and how giving his life to Christ changed his life for the better.

One day, after a discussion with Deacon Howard, it was at that time that John decided that he needed a help meet. He told Deacon Howard “I’m going to marry that lady right there and she doesn’t even know it!” That lady was Reverend Morgan’s twin sister, Edna Morgan. So, with a smile on his face and although it took a long time, he and Deaconess Edna Morgan were wedded in holy matrimony on September 7, 2002. This union was unbreakable. They studied, prayed and worshipped together. And because GOD was their center, no matter what came their way, good or bad, they remained joyful and saved.

In 2019, John contracted COVID and although many thought it was over for him, little did anyone know that John was a fighter. And not only did he fight, but he knew he had a strong woman by his side. Both John and Edna knew the power of prayer and no matter how dark it may have seemed, no matter what the doctors would say, they knew and believed that God was with them, and He was still in control. And because of that, John never gave up. 2 Timothy 4, verse 7 says, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” John kept on fighting! And now he is walking around heaven!

John leaves to cherish his memory his beloved wife of 23 years, Deaconess Edna Morgan-Alston, his children John Otis Alston, Jr., Towanda Hinton, Iesha Drew and John Derrick Alston, his step-children, Tonia Morgan-Howard, Towanda Howard, Kim Robertson and Kareem Morgan; grandchildren John Otis Alston, III, Janiya and Nylia Drew, Daniece Hill, Ashley Brooks, Carter Morgan, Kaylee Morgan, Kameron Morgan, Tarrence Morgan and Karen Morgan; great grandchildren Zaniya Magwood, Ic’ier Alston, Kae’dynce Alston, Ah’Lani Alston and Jasier Alston; three god children, Laylilah Wall, Aniya Wiley and Alquan Lee, brother and sister in law, Reverend William E. and Reverend Shirley A. Morgan, Deborah Morgan, Malinda Felder, Mary F. Doris, Rosa Sheldon, Pastor Ronnie E. Felder, along with a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.