Alberta Alston

Obituary For Alberta Alston

Ms. Alberta Marie Mickens was born in Washington, D.C. on July 22, 1936 to the holy matrimony of Mr. and Mrs. William Mickens. Her baby sister, Mrs. Hannah Camille Mickens-Boyd, was also born to this union two years later; she preceded her in death in 2007.

Alberta Marie showed promise in music at an early age and learned to play the piano. She also showed aptitude in her intellectual faculties and enrolled at a private early childhood school in South Memphis, Tennessee, Lutheran Cooperative; she was baptized at Avery Chapel AME Church.

Alberta Marie began her educational matriculation at Larose Elementary School and finished at Booker T. Washington High School in 1952. She enrolled at Wilberforce College at sixteen years old, later renamed Central State University, in Wilberforce, Ohio, and majored in Business Administration. During her sophomore year, while attending Wilberforce, Alberta Marie was initiated into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

Upon graduating and moving back to Memphis, she began her professional career as a typist for the late Attorney Russell Sugarmon and, shortly thereafter, as a secretary for Universal Life Insurance. In 1956, she transitioned to a career in public education with Memphis City Schools, subsequently receiving her teaching credentials at Tennessee A&I University.

During the Civil Rights Movement of the late 1950s and early 1960s, Alberta Marie was frequently called upon to play the piano accompaniment for public gatherings featuring Civil Rights leaders, such as Martin Luther King Jr., at the historic Clayborn Temple.

In 1961, Alberta Marie married the late Melvin Burgess Sr., and to this union arrived the birth of twins, Pamela Camille and Melvin Thomas Burgess, II. Before moving to Denver, she received her Master of Arts degree in Administration and Supervision from Memphis State University. In 1976, she accepted a job offer with Denver Public Schools (DPS), where she worked as an elementary school teacher and later became a principal; she eventually rose to the title of Associate Superintendent for the Northeast Cluster of DPS.

During Black History Month, in 1994, she was presented with the Celebration of Excellence in Education Award for Outstanding Contribution to Colorado Education by Denver Public Schools. Alberta Marie was known for spearheading involvement with both community leaders and teachers in the interest of fostering and increasing student engagement. Her philosophy was the fundamental belief that, “all children can learn and should be accountable in doing so.” She retired from DPS in 2004.

Her accolades include: Jesse Maxwell Award (Black Educators United); Denver Elementary Principals Hall of Fame (DPS); Outstanding Work in Pioneering Education (Habakkuk Ministry); Leadership Award (DPS); and Certificate of Appreciation for Dedicated Service (Shorter AME Church).

Before moving back to Memphis in 2017, Alberta Marie had been a resident of Denver for over forty years. She was a regular member of Shorter AME Church. While in Denver, she enjoyed traveling, shopping, fellowshipping, and attending weekly SHAPE fitness classes with her peers. A lifelong educator beyond retirement, she believed in the power of music and was a private piano instructor to young people, in both Denver and Memphis, until her passing.

She leaves behind two children, Pamela Burgess-Nelson and Melvin Burgess, II (Sandra); and grandchildren, Christopher Towles, Lindsey Burgess, Lauren Burgess, and Ricky Blair. Her extended family includes a niece and nephew, Tracey Boyd-Greer and Keith Boyd, and a host of other relatives.

Memorial service will be held Saturday, March 15, 2025 10:00am at Metropolitan Baptist Church 767 Walker Ave, Memphis, TN 38126