Herline Gibson Alston

Life began on August 3, 1936 for Herline Gibson Alston, in Summerton, South Carolina. She was born to the late William “Bill” and Susie Jackson Gibson. Herline departed this earthly life on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at Ascension St. Vincent’s Clay County Hospital, in Middleburg, Florida.

She was educated in the public schools of Clarendon County. Herline accepted Christ at First A.M.E. Zion Church, in Brooklyn, New York, at an early age. She worked as a housekeeper, in Summerton. Herline moved to New York and was employed as a Seamstress for Craft Tec. She also was employed as a Mail Clerk for E.F. Hutton. Mother Alston attended the Senior Citizen Center and was an ardent member of the Red Hat Society in Summerton.

Mother Herline travelled to Germany, London, Dubai and Kuwait in her later years. She loved talking to people and learning different cultures. Mother Alston knew how to capture the attention of everyone – no matter where she was and known for her passion to dance. Mother Herline was very outspoken and relished spending time with family and friends. Everyone who came in contact with her called – her “Momma”. She was known for saying “Hold on”, Wait a Minute…”

In addition to her parents, Herline was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur Alston; son, Nathan Rhames Jr.; four brothers, Franklin Gibson, William “Bill” Gibson Jr., Haywood Bennett and Johnny Bennett; four sisters, Rosa Turner, Shirley Robinson, Miriam Johnson and Carolyn Ragin.

She leaves to cherish her loving memories two daughters, Patricia (Bobby) Brogdon and Theresa Alston; six grandchildren, Nathaniel Rhames Jr III, Carl (Jennifer) Fulton, Zaylia (Michael) Israel, Eric (Crystal) Rhames, Kendra Jackson and Dwayne (DeAnna) Pinckney; bonus grandchildren, Chanel Cummingham, Janay Heard, Shalance Williams and Robert Brogdon; thirty great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; one brother, Thomas Lee (Gloria) Gibson; five sisters, Daisy McFadden, Julia (Jacob) Andrew, Susie Mae Oree, Fran McFadden and Daisy Guess; five sisters-in-law, Buelah Gibson, Janie Alston, Julia Mae Knox, Cookie Bennett and Carol Bennett; a host of nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends.

Special Recognition:

(Nurse) Whitney Stephens and (Primary Doctor) Ali Afshar, Pastor Manuel Evans of the Williams Chapel Christian Church of (Manning, South Carolina) and (Neice) Jamile Andrews.