Wilhelmena Alston, affectionately known as "Mudnay", "Shorty", "Bill", and "Nana", was born on August 21, 1921 in St. George, South Carolina where she attended St. Marks Elementary School and William Memorial High School. After High School, she married Jefferson Alston and moved to New York City. It was then that her love for hats developed and she was known for modeling some of the most beautiful and unique designs. Cleanliness was her passion which was exhibited by how well she maintained her home. Her family once jokingly told her that "she kept a clean house" would be placed on her headstone. She was able to fulfill her passion by working as a domestic worker for several years before retiring and completely devoting her time to family and the church. She was a long-term member of Second Providence Baptist Church serving on the missionary, culinary, clothing and Pastor Aid Ministries. She departed this life on May 27, 2021. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jefferson Alston; her parents, Lela and Sam Brown; stepmother, Ada Brown; daughter, Evelyn Alston (Ferdinand); and siblings, James Brown (Janie), Arthur Lee Brown (Anna Lee), Ulysee Brown (Mildred), Dennis Brown (Mary), and Helen (Jesse). She leaves to mourn and cherish fond memories: her sons, Jefferson Alston Jr. (Janice), Mark Alston, and Jamal Alston (Keisha); her daughters, Alice Bolden, Wilhelmena Alston, Sylvia Torres (Mark), and Cynthia Alston; her sister, Minnie Sue Craig; grandkids, Kevin Alston, LaSonda Alston, Diane Harrison (Tony), Sean Raikes, Jamel Raikes, Dawn Alston, Kisha Patterson (Maurice), Coi Epps (Myke), Troy Alston, Kerrin Bolden, and Khalima Bolden; twenty-three great grandkids; ten great great grandkids; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends