James Alston was born on October 9, 1985 in New York City and was called home on March 31, 2022. He was born to Cindy Alston and James Arthur David McNeil III. He was the youngest of five siblings. He was raised in Queensbridge South Houses in Long Island City, New York. James was what you would call a force of nature. He commanded every room he entered without having to say a word. He would just enter the room with his signature walk looking stylish with his trademark large black glasses. If you knew James, you knew he didn't go anywhere without his glasses. James had an amazing gift of being able to relate to anyone on any level without having to change who he was. He could convince almost anyone to do anything. He was a special person with a pure heart and had friends all over the world. There hasn't been a place yet where someone didn't know who he was. He had a large and loving family, but he also created his own family. He was a mother, a brother, and a sister to many.  Anyone in need he would always extend his hand to help. Whether it was a place to sleep for the night, an ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on, or whatever you may have needed if he had it then it was yours. He was such positive energy in this life he would always speak life into people, uplift them and motivate them to be the best versions of themselves. James was a lover of music. Mary J. Blige was his favorite artist of all time; there wasn't a song in her catalog that he did not know. He had an old soul, but he listened to all genres of music. Music and food were his happy places. He couldn't hold a note to save his life but that didn't stop him from singing with all his might and that made you want to sing along with him. His love of music made him listen to a variety of musical artists like Justin Beiber, Trippie Redd, Britney Spears, Anita Baker, and Etta James. One of his favorite things to do was cook. He enjoyed cooking for himself and his friends. He would make so many exotic dishes, from cream of mushroom turkey wings to jerk chicken to his homemade pico de gallo. His favorite foods were Spanish and seafood. Even though his cooking was as diverse as his friends you couldn't tell him he wasn't an old Hispanic grandma when he was in the kitchen. He literally could make anything. James had begun to change the direction of his life to a more positive one. He was spending more of his time making a difference in his own life and the lives of the people around him. Working in the church assisting with cleaning. Those around him remarked that they saw the change in him and were happy to bear witness to it after the many rough years following the death of his beloved mother, Cindy. He was a vibrant soul with a heart of gold who refused to let anyone dim his light. James Alston lived his life with no regrets. If he wanted something he went and got it. Everything he did, he did it big and he never held his tongue. Unapologetically, Jazleen from sunrise to sunset was loved by many. The great Maya Angelou once said, "I've learned that no matter what happens or how bad it seems today, life does go on and it will be better tomorrow." I know he lived by that because no matter what hardships be felled him, he never gave up and he kept going. One of his favorite things he used to say a lot was "oh well, girl, life goes on". James wasn't afraid of death, and he lived his truth every moment of every day. He is with his beloved mother now watching over his family and friends protecting them as he always has; he's just leveled up. James did not want to be mourned, if he did die; he wanted to be celebrated. Remember the good times and keep them going. That was his only request. May he continue to rest in paradise. James is survived by his siblings, Randolph Ford, Scharhonda Lozada, Tirina McNeil, and Tabrina McNeil; his nieces, Layla, Anasia, Destane, Eniah, andKaelah; his great-nephews; great-nieces; his godchildren; Ashleigh, Ayden, and Gia; and a host of family and friends. James will be dearly missed by all whose lives he touched. Lovingly submitted by The Family