Shirley Louise Alston

Shirley Louise Alston, 88, passed away January 26, 2024 surrounded by her loved ones.  Shirley was born August 31, 1935 in Poughkeepsie, NY to Arthur West and Margaret Herdon West.  She spent most of her life in Poughkeepsie, NY but made Pleasant Valley, NY her final home.  She was married to Arthur Edmonds of Millbrook, NY 1955 and had 3 children.  She was later remarried to Charles Alston of Norfolk, VA in 1975.

Shirley held several important positions in Poughkeespsie.  She retired first from the Hudson River Psychiatric Center in 1985 where she worked as a mental health therapy aid and later went on to have a second career retiring again as a cafeteria aid preparing food for and serving children of the Poughkeepsie City School District.  Shirley spent many years volunteering her time as secretary of her local CSEA Union and the Dutchess County Board of Elections. 

Shirley was a devout Christian.  She began serving her church community as secretary to Reverend Henderson at Ebenezer Baptist Church and also spent many years as an active member of Smith Metropolitan A.M.E Zion Church where she served as secretary to Pastor Bolton.

Belovedly known as “Grammy” to close friends and family.  She was adored and cherished for her quick whit, her tenacity to live life fully, and her abounding generosity.  Grammy loved to go fishing, read and play with her grandchildren, entertain family and friends and shop of course! 

She is survived by her brother Curtis Johnson of Poughkeepsie NY, her daughter Kim M. Edmonds of Walden NY, two sons Mark Edmonds from Poughkeepsie, NY and Scott Edmonds of Tolleson AZ.  Shirley had 4 grandchildren Khori Grant, Khalia Grant Thorpe, Martayah Edmonds and Marlena Edmonds as well as several beloved great-grandchildren who loved her deeply and loudly.  Shirley will forever be missed.

  Visitation will be held on Wednesday February 7, 2024, from 10am to 11am at the Ebenezer Baptist Church 15 Smith Steet Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 A Celebration of Life will begin at 11am with Pastor Michael Bell Officiating.  Burial will follow at Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Joseph J. Darrow Sr. Funeral Home, 39 So. Hamilton St. Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. (845)452-1840.  To send online condolences please visit our website at www.darrowfuneralhome.org

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Shirley Louise Alston, please visit our floral store.