Alberta West's Obituary
Alberta West was born Dec. 13, 1924 in Kearny, NJ to her loving parents, Alex and Mary Cook. Alberta was the oldest sister of ten children, seven of whom preceded her in death; brothers Luther, Robert and Leon Cook; sisters Muriel Gibson and Eleanor Tilley, and half-sisters Vinnie Cook and Ruby Spears. She is survived by her youngest sister, Dorothy Plummer.
Alberta spent her formative years in Orange, NJ, where the family attended Bethel Baptist Church. The family later moved to East Orange, NJ, where her parents purchased their first home on Halstead Street.
Alberta worked as a domestic and also found work cleaning offices. Her final job was caring for the elderly parents of retired KEan College Professor Carlton Krantz, who remembered Alberta every year with a kind gift - even after his parents passed away - in appreciation for the excellent care Alberta provided. Upon retiring, Alberta took on her greatest assignment; caring for her elderly parents until their passing.
Alberta married the love of her life, James West, on Dec. 2, 1950. To this union, two daughters were born; Deborah, or "Debbie," and Gloria, aka "Little James."
Alberta accepted Christ at an early age. She and James both served faithfully at Zion Hill Baptist Church in Newark, NJ, where they both sang in the inspirational choir.
James preceded Alberta in death in 1992. After his passing, Alberta moved to North Carolina to live with her sister, Dorothy. In 1999, Alberta and Dorothy moved back to New JErsey, where Alberta joined Union Baptist Church in Kenilworth. In September 2009, Alberta and Dorothy moved to Altadena, CA, where they joined First AME Church in Pasadena. Alberta was able to attend there until February 2017.
In November 2012, Alberta was placed in a long-term care facility in Pasadena, where she celebrated her 90th birthday on Dec. 13, 2014 - or 12/13/14. The celebration was highlighted by a video honoring Alberta's life, along with letters from former President Barak Obama, Pasadena's mayor and a California Assembly Member.
On Tuesday, Oct. 23, Alberta made her transition from labor to reward - when God led her from her earthly home to her heavenly home. we, the family, are comforted in knowing that a merciful god has laid claim to her soul and that she now resides safe in the arms of Jesus.
Alberta is survived to mourn and celbrate her life by her sister Dorothy, her daughters, Rev. Deborah West-Jones and Gloria Durham; son-in-law Wayne Jones; granddaughters Syreeta and Jocelyn Durham; and great grandchildren Imani Bonds, Laila and Jeremiah Griffin, and Mya Mosley.
We celebrate the life of an amazing woman, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, mentor, and yes, friends; we celebrate a woman of great strength with a unique sense of wit and wisdom. A woman who dedicated her life to serving others. We celebrate a woman who believed in the importance of family, prayer, and a relationship with our lord and savior, Jesus Christ.
What’s your fondest memory of Alberta?
What’s a lesson you learned from Alberta?
Share a story where Alberta's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Alberta you’ll never forget.
How did Alberta make you smile?
