Mar 25, 2005   | COMMENTS     

Friends, family members and colleagues celebrated the life of Wanda Alston, director of Washington, D.C.’s, Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Affairs, at ceremonies Saturday and Monday that drew streams of mourners and poignant testimonies about her political drive and generous spirit.

Alston, 45, was fatally stabbed in her home on Wednesday, March 16, and police have charged one of her neighbors with the crime.

On Saturday, March 19, Unity Fellowship Church of Washington, D.C., held “A Time of Healing” gathering in Northwest D.C., at Luther Place Memorial Church.

Darlene Nipper, one of Alston’s best friends, said the two of them talked about 2005 being their “Year of Authenticity.” And though Alston loved to argue about basketball, tennis and politics, Nipper said they never, ever fought. Their focus, she said, was on “positivity, love and peace.”

On Monday, Alston’s funeral took place at All Souls Church, Unitarian, in Northwest Washington, where those who knew the human rights activist recalled her courage and commitment to helping everyone. Alston’s pastor, Rev. Sylvia Sumpter of Unity Church of Washington, D.C., on Capitol Hill, delivered the eulogy.

Among the mourners were: (1) Edith Corra, one of the drummers at the gathering on Saturday; (2) an unidentified soloist who sang ‘Amazing Grace’ at Alston’s funeral Monday; (3) Stacey Long (center), Alston’s fiancé and partner, surrounded by friends Vallerie Wagner (left) and Valerie McKenzie, at the funeral; (4) D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams, arriving at the funeral; (5) the mayor’s mother, Virginia E. Hayes-Williams, arriving at the funeral with Sgt. Brett Parson, commander of the Metropolitan Police Department’s Gay & Lesbian Liaison Unit; (6) Darlene Nipper (left) speaking at the gathering Saturday, as an unidentified friend provides support; (7) mourners listening to Nipper’s testimony at Luther Place Memorial Church on Saturday.