Alfred Warner Royster
Alfred Warner Royster, 85, affectionately known as “Pappy” passed away in Uniontown Hospital on Sunday, October 1, 2006, at 5:38 p.m. He was born on September 1, 1921 in Roxboro, North Carolina. He was the son of the late James and Mirtha Royster.
Alfred “Pappy” was a World War II veteran. After leaving the Army, he became a coal miner. In 1963, he became the first African-American to start a car business in Masontown, Pa. He became the sole proprietor of Royster’s Auto Center in Masontown. He has been an active member of Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses now located in Paisley, Pa since 1956. He has served the congregation as an elder. He was an avid conversationalist. Pappy loved people. He enjoyed socializing and interacting with the public. He enjoyed watching westerns on television and even got the Steeler fever during the Super bowl.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Cleophus Royster Sr., Clarence “Bill” Royster and James Reginald “Red” Royster.
He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife of 62 years, Anna Finnie Royster of Gates, Pa. and three children, Ewanda Royster of Gates, Pa., Alfred William Royster (Linda) of Gates and Dr. Joyce Royster of York, Pa.; he also leaves five grandchildren, Tianna Thompson Fullum of York, Pa, Alfred Troy Royster and his wife Jennifer of Woodbridge, Conn., Robert Minor Lewis III of Gates and Brent Royster of Herndon, Virginia; he leaves three great-grandchildren, Cheiseanna Joyce Fullum of York, Pa., Jordan Royster and Aaron Royster of Woodbridge, Conn.; he leaves four sisters and one sister-in-law and one brother-in-law, Clara Sue Jordan of Thompson, Pa., Lartha Smith of Pittsburgh, Pa., Goldie Harris of Pittsburgh, Pa., Santa Parker and her husband Lloyd, Sr. of Coal Hills, Maryland, Hattie Royster of Thompson, Pa.; he leaves a host of nieces and nephews, Melanie and Sylvester Baynes, Willette and Kerry Copes, Marsha and Ricki Trent, Brenda and Freddie Jones, Paulette Jordan, Carolyn and William Rutland, Sanetta Parker, Sharae Parker, the Rev. Lloyd Parker Jr. and Tanaia, Dwayne and Chris Royster, Tomilynn Harris, Kevin Royster, James “Butch” Royster, Cleophus “Spike” and Mary Royster, Denita Royster, Deborah Royster Hyde, Kimberly Jeter, Brock and Pamela Clark, Dawn Royster, Delano Clark, Derek and Phyllis Florence. He leaves a host of great-nieces and nephews as well as friends.
Friends and family may call at the HAKY FUNERAL HOME, 515 Main Street, Masontown, Pa., A Dignity Memorial Provider, on Friday, October 6, 2006, from 4 to 9 p.m. A funeral service will be held at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Paisley (Route 21) on Saturday at 11 a.m. conducted by Brothers Kenneth Mitchell and Gary Proden.
Interment will be in LaFayette Memorial Park, Brier Hill, where military honors will be accorded by Faith-Gray-McArdle VFW Post 4584.