Luther Leonidas Alston, 84, of the 6000 block of Knotts Creek Lane, passed away peacefully in his home on Oct. 5, 2003, after a long battle with cancer.

He was born April 16, 1919 in Hollister, N.C. to the late James Lindsey and May Powell Alston. He was a veteran of the United States Army, having served his country during World War II with the Army Air Division stationed in the South Pacific. He attained the rank of 1st Sergeant before his discharge in 1945. After leaving the army he was employed by the Norfolk Naval Shipyard until his retirement in 1975. He was a charter member of the Bennett’s Creek Ruritan Club and the Bennett’s Creek Area Rescue Squad. He was a charter member of Centenary United Methodist Church and a member of the Conrad Eberwine Sunday School Class. His dedication to community service was well-known and appreciated by all who knew him.

He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 57 years, Marjorie R. Alston,

three brothers, Claude K. Alston, James Lindsey Alston, and Tom P. Alston; and three sisters, Sadie A. Trammel, Mary A. Hoffler, and Peggy M. Alston.

He is survived by three daughters, April A. Jenkins and her husband Spike of Bozeman, Mony., Robin A. Jones and her husband Eric of LaCrosse and Wendy A. Ormsby and her husband Glenn of Smithfield; a son, Kevin L. Alston and his wife Sandra of Suffolk; a sister, Edith G. Alston of Smithfield; a brother, Joseph John Alston, of Oakridge, Tenn.; nine grandchildren, Dawn J. Cummings and her husband David of Kalispell, Mont.; Karen, Jared and Nicole Jenkins of Bozeman, Mont.; Barner and Jessica Jones of LaCrosse, Ty Ormsby of Newport News; Amber Ormsby of Smithfield; and Ashley Alston of Suffolk; and many nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held from 7-8 p.m. Thursday, at Baker-Foster Funeral Home in Bennett’s Creek. The funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday at Centenary United Methodist Church in Portsmouth, by the Rev. Gary Alvis. Burial will be in Olive Branch Cemetery, Portsmouth.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Luther and Marjorie Alston Scholarship Fund in care of the Bennett’s Creek Ruritan Club, 3613 Bridge Road, Suffolk, Va. 23435 and/or the Mary Hoffler Hester Library in care of Centenary United Methodist Church, 3312 Cedar Lane, Portsmouth, Va. 23703.