Eldridge D. Alston was born on June 20, 1928 and was called home on Tuesday, December 27, 2016. A lifelong resident of Winston-Salem, he was the second son of the late Johnny O. Alston, Sr. and Florence DeWalt Alston.

He graduated from Atkins High School in 1951 and continued his education at Winston-Salem State University from 1951- 1954. He served four years in the United States Navy and received an honorable discharge.

In October 1961 he joined the Forsyth County Sheriff's Department, becoming the first black Deputy Sheriff and advanced through the ranks in a thirty-year career retiring in 1991 as Major of Operations.

In addition to his career as a sheriff's deputy, he also operated Carver Road Food Center, a community grocery store with the help of his father. He would work many hours at the store after working full time at the sheriff's department.

Eldridge was a member of St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church where he remained a member until his death; supporting the church financially, although he was physically unable to attend due to his health.

Eldridge was preceded in death by his parents, Johnny Oliver Alston Sr. and Florence DeWalt Alston; a brother, Johnny Oliver Alston Jr.; a daughter, Gloria Leverne Alston; and a granddaughter, Alana Monet Alston.

He leaves to cherish his memories his devoted wife, Shirley Perry Alston of the home; a son, Nigel DeWalt Alston (Sarah) and daughter, Angela Michelle Alston-Boyd, all of Winston-Salem, NC; a grandson, Akbar Wali Alston (Stephanie) of Charlotte, NC; two granddaughters, Yasmeen Alston and Maggie Alston-Boyd of Winston-Salem, NC; two great grandsons, Elijah Kennedy, of Winston-Salem, NC and Gabriel Alston, of Charlotte, NC; one great granddaughter, Journi Alston, of Winston-Salem, NC and one sister-in-law, Christine Coppedge (Luther) of Raleigh, NC; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends who will remember his legacy.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00pm Saturday, December 31, 2016 at Galilee Missionary Baptist Church. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. The family visitation will be held from 12noon until 1:00pm on Saturday at the Church.