Frank F. Alston Jr.: Aug. 25, 2017
Published 11:13 am Monday, August 28, 2017
Frank Fletcher Alston Jr., 93, of Parrott died Aug. 25, 2017.
Funeral services will be held at the graveside at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug.30, 2017, at Parrott Cemetery with the Rev. Tim Olds officiating.
Mr. Alston was born on May 11, 1924, in the Pleasant Hill community of Terrell County, the eldest son of Frank F. Alston Sr. and Mary Alma Massey Alston. He graduated from Parrott High School in 1941, and joined the U.S. Army Air Corps on Oct. 6, 1942. Serving in the European Theatre, he was based at Thurleigh, Bedford, England, with the 306th Bomb Group, 368th Squadron. He served as a bombardier on the B-17 Flying Fortress and flew 30 missions. After the end of World War II, he was based on the rock of Gibraltar and photographed Europe as part of the Casey Jones Project, Army of Occupation. He held the rank of technical sergeant. He was awarded the following commendations: Good Conduct Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal with four silver stars, and the Air Medal with five oak leaf clusters.
He married Rebecca Rutherford of Parrott on Aug. 7, 1944, in Eufaula, Ala. He and his wife traveled extensively with the Eighth Air Force Historical Society. He was a life member of the Eighth Air Force Museum at Pooler. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and flying his Piper Tri-Pacer.
Mr. Alston worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 40 years, 28 of those as a rural mail carrier. He also farmed. He served on the Terrell County Board of Education for nine years, five as chairman. He also served on the Terrell County Hospital Authority for several years, the Terrell County Draft Board for 10 years and the Terrell County ASCS Committee. He was a deacon in the Parrott Baptist Church, and later joined Dawson Presbyterian Church.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Beth Alston of Americus; son, Dennis Alston of Albany; sister Mary Frank Laviner of Dawson; and brother Charlie W. Alston of Troy, Ala. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews; and caregivers/friends Lamon Brand and Jimmy Chandler. He was preceded in death by a brother, Louis Alston and a son, Ronald A. Alston.
Harvey Funeral Home, Dawson is in charge of arrangements.
