Cora Lee Alston was born in North Carolina in 1933 to Cora Smith McDaniel. She was the oldest of three children: Cora, William, Joseph. Her family moved to Newark, NJ when she was a young lady. She met and married Carroll Frank Alston when she was attending South Side High School. They married in March of 1950. There were two children born of that relationship: Carroll Frank Alston, Jr. and Charmain Alston.

Cora spent many years working for Remco Toy factory in Newark, NJ while she balanced the tasks of raising a family and being a homemaker. Her husband died at the age of 44 in March of 1976. Cora remained a widower until her death. She spent many of her summer vacations in North Carolina and moved to Charlotte when she retired.

She loved stuffed animals and flowers. She also loved sweets. Her grocery cart always contained a ton of cookies, cakes, and ice cream. She enjoyed having her hair done professionally and shopping. Her favorite fragrance was Sweet Honesty.

She leaves to cherish her memory her children: Frank(wife Remona) and Charmain(husband Willie), her grandchildren: Renay(Don), Troy(Angela), Jermaine, Carroll and Stefani, her great grandchildren: Corey, Desmond, Cameron and Jalen,