IRVINGTON—Anne Elizabeth Simpson Alston went to her heavenly home on March 22, 2023, at the age of 94, surrounded by her family.
Anne was born July 25, 1928, to Homer and Roxie Surber Simpson in the small lumber mill town of Hamlet, W.Va. As she grew, she spent much time with her beloved aunts, all educators, who inspired her to become a teacher also. She attended Becky High School for two years and graduated from Ansted High School. She graduated from Longwood College in 1949 with a bachelor’s in education.
Anne married Clarence Alston of Richmond in 1954 and she was a loving wife for over 50 years until his death in 2011. Anne and Clarence raised their four children in Richmond, moving to the Northern Neck in 1975. They also spent some of their retirement years in Smith Mountain Lake before moving back to the Northern Neck.
Anne’s teaching career spanned many years. She taught math and science at Warwick High School in Newport News and in the Richmond area at Thomas Jefferson High School, Huguenot High School and Providence Jr. High School. She also taught at Lancaster Intermediate School in Lancaster County until she retired in 1990. As the head of the math department at LIS, she introduced algebra to the seventh grade class, paving the way for the high school to offer higher level math classes.
In addition to teaching, Anne worked for two summers for NACA (now NASA) at Langley Field. She was one of the women known as “computers” who ran mathematical calculations for the aeronautical engineers.
In retirement, Anne enjoyed playing golf with the Indian Creek Lady Nine Holers and playing bridge weekly, always a ready fourth player. She was a member of Campbell Memorial Presbyterian Church. She volunteered with the United Way and Meals on Wheels.
In her final years, Anne was a resident of Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury where she was known and loved by the other residents and staff, some of whom were her former students.
Anne will be remembered for her sunny personality, frequent laugh, ability to see the best in every person and situation, and her quiet faith. “The Queen” as her family affectionately called her was a wonderful mom, grandmother to 11, and great-grandmother to eight. She was extremely proud of her family and enjoyed their musical performances, athletic achievements and creative shenanigans immensely.
She was preceded in death, in addition to her parents and husband, by her brother-in-law, Donald Worlledge; and her great-nephew, Nathan Holthaus.
She is survived by her sister, Mary Ellen Worlledge; and her children, Allen Alston (Debby), Wyatt Alston (Susan), Joanne Alston Webb-Fary (Randy) and Susan Alston Fenerty (Bill). Her grandchildren are Lauren Alston (Seth), Claire Alston, Anna Ashby (Brian), Emily Webb (Trevor Henderson), John Alston, Bethany Alston, Nathan Fenerty, Kirk Fenerty, Ellie Fenerty, Katherine Herrell (Jon) and David Fary (Margo). Great-grandchildren are Ben, Finn, Rowen, Weston, Taya, Camille, Cora and Sutton. Also surviving are her niece, Cecile Holthaus (Tom), and nephew, Thom Worlledge (Jan), and their families.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury Foundation in Irvington or Campbell Memorial Presbyterian Church in Weems.
A private service will be held with internment at Historic Christ Church in Weems on Monday, April 10. The Reverend Jim Moseley of Campbell Memorial Presbyterian Church will preside.
Currie Funeral Home LLC of Kilmarnock handled the arrangements.
