SFA student passes away in ATV accident last Saturday

By: Garret Cook

Posted: 3/11/10

A memorial service for Lauren Alston, 21-year-old SFA senior and Lufkin native who was killed in an ATV accident this past weekend, is scheduled for 2 p.m. today at the First United Methodist Church of Lufkin.

There will be a celebration, then fellowship that includes a photo/slide show of Lauren's life. There is also a Facebook group entitled "In Loving Memory of Lauren Alston" that friends and family are encouraged to join. Poems, words of kindness, condolences and photographs may be posted there.

The accident in which Alston died occurred shortly before 7 p.m. Saturday on County Road 164 between Nacogdoches and Garrison. According to the Department of Public Safety, Alston lost control of her 2008 Suzuki ATV on a sandy surface and flipped.

She was rushed to Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital where she later died.

Alston was a 2006 graduate of Lufkin High School. She enrolled at SFA, working her way toward a Bachelor of Arts degree in hospitality administration. She was set to finish course work in May and had plans to intern during the summer.

Alston was born and raised in Lufkin. Her grandfather, Dr. Roy Dean Alston, retired from SFA in 2008 after teaching in the mathematics and statistics department for 40 years.

Carol Bradley, lecturer in nutrition, is adviser to Phi Epsilon Omicron, the honors organization for human sciences.

"Lauren was well liked and will be greatly missed as an officer in Phi U," Bradley said.

As historian for the Hospitality Administration Society, Alston helped maintain the group's Facebook page and handled responsibilities related to marketing and promotion, according to assistant professor of human sciences Chay Runnells.

"She had such a bright future in the hospitality industry," Runnells said. "What shone through both her work and activities was her love of family and friends and the value she placed on relationships. That is what you need to be successful in hospitality."

Runnells added that Alston had "tons of friends both inside and outside her major."

One of those friends and Alston's classmate, Brandi Hampton, said Alston's ultimate career goal was to be an event planner.

"She was the kind of gal who was interested in everything but wanted to do event planning and coordinating things," Hampton, Nacogdoches senior, said.

"She loved talking, could talk for days," Hampton said. "She was very open to just meeting people and talking to anyone. I've known her for three years, but over the last year we got close. She just really enjoyed life and was down to do anything. She had kind of a sassy attitude. She was very up-front with people, and if something needed to be said, she'd be the one to say it."

Hampton also spoke about Alston's abilities as a student.

"(She was a) very smart girl," Hampton said. "She was very organized and detail-oriented. Her GPA was high, she was a historian in her organization and really involved."

Runnells recalled an event last year that typified Alston's love of family as well as her dedication to her career path.

"One of her greatest joys last year was planning the 50th wedding anniversary celebration for her grandparents, Dr. and Mrs. Alston," Runnells said.

gcook@thepinelog.com