Alonza (A.J.) Jessie Walston

A.J. WALSTON

July 16, 1942 – April 1, 2021

MIDDLESEX – A.J. Walston died peacefully in his sleep at home, Thursday morning following a brief period of declining health.

          He  was born in Wilson County, a son of the late Mildred and Ruth Walston who preceded him in death as well as a sister, Elaine Blackmon; paternal grandparents, Alonza & Sarah Ladonia Walston; maternal grandparents, Jack & Mary Skinner.  

          He graduated from Walstonburg High School in 1960 and went to Raleigh to join the Raleigh Police Department in 1963.  He was then drafted into the Army National Guard in 1964 to 1995 with approximately 31 ½ years of service. He worked driving a tanker for Stalling Brothers for 5 years where he enjoyed being with people  and later he worked with his son in Landscaping for 10 years before he officially retired.  AJ loved life, meeting new people, enjoyed going to the flea market on weekends with his wife, Betty and also enjoyed eating out.

          He loved his church, Middlesex Baptist where he served as a Deacon and on many other committies where he will be greatly missed.  He was also a member of the Middlesex Fire Department for 20 years.

          A funeral service will be held 1 pm Tuesday, April 6, at Middlesex Family Life Center with visitation 11:45 – 12:45 prior to the service.

Entombment will follow in Hollywood Cemetery with Military Honors.

           He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Betty; children, Melissa Parrish (Jerry), Greg Walston and Michael Walston (Maggie); grandchildren; Stephen Parrish (Nikki), Caroline Parrish, Chris Walston (Morgan), Lauren Walston, Michael Dylan Walston, Amber Walston, Jeremy Cope, and Jacob Cope; brother, Bob Walston (Melda) and sister, Faye Baldree (Bert); several nieces and nephews and his loving shelties, Max & Rex.

          Due to Covid -19, the family requests masks and social distancing..  Flowers welcome or memorial gifts may be made to Middlesex Baptist Church, PO Box 369, Middlesex, NC 27557.

          Arrangements by Strickland Funeral Home & Crematory, Louisburg.

www.stricklandfuneralhome.net

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