Annie Mae Gaston

Annie Mae Gist Gaston, daughter of the late John and Carrie Gist, was born Thursday, April 16, 1925, in Chester County, South Carolina. She was affectionately known by family, friends and neighbors as Mama, Grandma, Mrs. Annie Mae, Mrs. Gaston and Mrs. G. She received her formal education at Emmett Scott High School. She accepted Christ at an early age and was a long-time member of St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church, where she truly loved her Pastor L.D. Parker. Annie married Albert Gaston in 1945. They became parents of eight children. She worked many years in the hotel industry, retiring from the Radisson Plaza Hotel-Uptown Charlotte, as the Housekeeping Supervisor. Mama Gaston departed this earthly life on Wednesday, March 10, 2021, just one month shy of her 96th birthday. She was preceded in death by her husband Albert, parents John and Carrie Gist, sons, Albert Jr., and Donald, daughter Nanette, all of her siblings and her beloved dog Lucky. She leaves to cherish her fond memories, her children, sons Harry Lee, Joseph, Ronald, and Durwood; her only daughter Cynthia; daughters-in-law, Rosalind and Phyllis; grandchildren who she always said were her children not grands, Carl (Jeaneen) LaTonya, Harrietta Hall (Daeell), Harry Lee, Jr., Quinton, Ann, Dameyion, Zaneta Mungai (Herman), Earl, and Shyvonia; special granddaughter Timnit Asfaha, and special grandson Darius Houston; 31 great-grands, 28 great-great-grands, one special niece, Hazel Stevens who was raised with her and she lovingly called "Lil Sis;" her fur babies Blackie and Bishop, and a host of other loving family members and friends. Mama loved and cared for many in her beloved Druid Hills neighborhood. She would go out of her way to help anyone. She also became Mama to many of the neighborhood cats, they all became her fur babies. During Mom's many years of life she's seen a lot of things. She was a devoted Democrat and was elated and thankful to vote for our first President and Vice President of color.