Lanora E. Alston

LANORA E. ALSTON, 68 years old of  Buffalo, New York departed this life on Thursday, May 14, 2020. 

Birth and Primary Years!

Lanora Elizabeth Alston was born December 18, 1951 in Buffalo, New York into a large family of loving grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Lanora’s mother, Nona M. Daniels Alston, and her step father Leroy Alston separated when their children were young.

Lanora spent a year in Birmingham, Alabama with her beloved uncle John Lee Daniels and his wife Mary. Lanora was nurtured and given every comfort they could afford her as well as social awareness and early religious training. When Lanora’s young mother was well and able to care for her children again, Lanora was sent back to Buffalo.  For a brief period of time Lanora lived with the Sutton family at the corner of Howard and Watson Streets.  While living in the Sutton home Lanora formed a bond with Her Nana. 

Early Education

In Buffalo, Lanora attended school 75 for the early primary grades.  She proved to be a very good student in spite of having to relocate for better housing several times.  Math and science were her strengths and Lanora was able to maintain good grades.  By the time Lanora was attending Grover Cleveland high school it was obvious that she had college potential. 

College Education

After high school Lanora continued her education and received her Associate’s Degreee from Villa Maria College. She won a full scholarship to D’youville College where she majored in Elementary Education.  While attending D’youville, Lanora met her good friend Gloria Johnson.  As friends and fellow college students, they supported each other and Lanora was happy to baby sit Gloria’s son Earl to help Gloria have time to work and study.  Their friendship remained until Lanora’s death.

Lanora also found a best friend for life in Donald Mullens. Donnie was responsible for getting Lanora to the hospital when she was critically ill.  Lanora had fallen in her apartment and laid there alone until the Lord led Donnie to check on her.  At the hospital, Donnie would sit with Lanora and often feed her until visitations were no longer permitted due to the Covid 19 virus.

Family Time

When Lanora was growing up she visited many of her cousins and sometimes her brother Lester and she spent time with them in their homes.

There were also many loving aunts and uncles in the big Daniels family of ten siblings. They all loved Lanora and she loved them.  Many good times were spent at family picnics, dinners and parties.  There were also trips to amusement parks and church attendance.

Some of Lanora’s most memorable trips included a road trip across country with her aunt Annie Lewis, cousins Joanne Williams, Lela and James Alston and their children Linda and Michael Alston, ages 5 and seven.  They visited Disneyland and traveled through Zion National Park on the way back to Buffalo.  She also attended the National Convention of the Churches of God, Holinesss in Atlanta, Georgia several times.  She loved riding on the back of Donnie’s motorcycle to visit Niagara, Falls Canada.

As a member of Mt. Zion Church of God Holiness, Lanora was a Sunday School scholar, usher and Women’s Chorale member.  For several years prior to her death, she prepared the church bulletins for Sunday. Lanora would help where needed in the church and often served at church dinners and repasts. In her teaching capacity she taught during vacation bible school for several years. 

Career Dedication

Lanora was a committed teacher.  She would stay after school to prepare lessons and arts and crafts projects for her students.  Often she would spend her own money. She loved field trips and holidays with her students .  She made sure that every student in her classes would receive gifts at Christmas time. Lanora took special interest in students who had hard times at home or other special circumstances.

Employment

As a teenager Lanora worked as a nursing assistant.  Before she began her teaching career she was employed by the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library. Her first Permanent teaching assignment was with the Dioscesan Educational Campus on High Street in Buffalo. When the school c;\losed   Lanora continued to teach finding assignments as a substitute teacher for the Buffalo Board of Education until other permanent positions became available. 

 Lanora taught third and fith grades at Catholic Central School. Upon its Closing, Lanora was hired by Dayspring Christian Academy.  Lanora taught at _________until illness no longer permitted her to, which was only a few days before she was hospitalized.  Her intention was to retire when she turned seventy years old.

Many parents thanked and praised Lanora for the help she gave their children.  Lanora had taught and or tutored for over thirty five years. She had worked several summers with her cousin Joanne’s summer educational  and recreation program.

Lanora was driven by her love for children and teaching.  Even while she was in the hospital she never lost her faith that God would heal her and that she would be able to return to her students, her church and home.

As her family and according to our faith, we believe Lanora was healed on the “Other Side” when she transitioned.

Memories of Lanora’s smile will remain with:  Aunt Annie Lewis, Brother and sister-in-law Lester and Chung Alston,  Cousins Joanne and Floyd Williams, Debra Daniels, Chris Daniels, Carmelita Daniels, Theodore Daniels Jr. , Cynthia Mc Pheeters, Sheryl Lewis, Lorraine Little, Aaron Williams, Lawrence Michael Alston, James Alston Verna and Deacon Edward Lewis, Linda & Deacon  Kevin Beckman,  Kaelynn and Kearsten Beckman.

All Daniels Cousins and Lewis Cousins.

The children and Grandchildren of the late Leroy and Katherine Alston.  

The Sutton family.

 Dearest Friends Donald Mullens, Gloria Johnson and Ann Hull.

Mount Zion Church of God, Holiness Family and friends

(Pastor Elder Hamilton and Mother Mildred Hamilton.

Lanora was preceded in death by:  Her beloved mother Nona M. Daniels Alston; Maternal grandparents Melissa and John Daniels; Paternal grandparents Nana Sutton, William and Joan Sutton.  Her special Uncle John Lee and Mary Daniels, Aunt Nora Daniels, Cousin Lela M. Alston.  Uncles Norman Daniels, James Daniels, Edward Daniels, Curtis Daniels, Charles Daniels Theodore.

 A public walk-up viewing will be held on Friday, May 22, 2020, from 1-4pm at Brian K. Lewis Funeral Home, 347 Peckham St. 14206. A private funeral service will be held at a later date at the convenience of the family.

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