Mitchell Dewitt Alston

Mitchell Alston of Chapel Hill, NC departed this life on August 2, 2025 after a brief, sudden illness, and now rests in the arms of the Heavenly Father.

Mitchell confessed Christ at the age of 12 during revival at Second Baptist and enjoyed working and serving the church. He was active in Sunday School, the choir and Baptist Training Union (BTU).

He was a cub/boy scout and as a teenager he had a bike route selling and distributing “The Grit” newspaper to the neighborhoods along Cameron Avenue in Chapel Hill.

After graduating from Chapel Hill High School in 1976, he went on to join the military. He served in the United States Army and achieved the rank of SP4 working as a Motor Transport Operator with the 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii. He received several recognitions and badges, including a medal for good conduct and the Sharpshooter Qualification badge. He served honorably at bases in Georgia, Missouri and Hawaii. He used to tell the funny story of how he jokingly requested Hawaii as his final assignment and surprisingly, actually got it! He absolutely loved his time in Hawaii and vowed to return someday to the Aloha state…

After the Army, Mitchell returned to Chapel Hill and worked at NC Memorial Hospital (now known as UNC Hospitals) in the patient transportation department. He worked for many years at the front entrance of the Hospital greeting patients and visitors and assisting them to their destinations with a smile and courteous service. He received a 2010 Plus People recognition for his hard work and dedication. His nomination for the award read in part, “His dedication is unwavering not only to the hospital, but to each guest that enters the building.” He retired in 2011 after 32 years of service.

As a devoted fan of UNC sports, he watched games on TV, kept up with the stats and was the “armchair” coach. The Washington Commanders was his go-to NFL team. He was a collector of military memorabilia and glass steins from around the world. He also loved fast cars like Camaros and Corvettes and his military service solidified his love of Jeeps!

Mitchell was preceded in death by his father, Charlie Alston. Those left to cherish his memory are Mother, Lula Alston of Chapel Hill; sister Cynthia Alston Johnson (Michael) of Columbia, SC; sister Diana Alston of Cary, NC; his cherished nieces Brittany and Kimberly (“the girls”); best friends, Ezra Barbee and Linwood Swann; and god-daughter Tatianne Barbee. His smile will also be missed by extended family members and friends.