Cynthia Costonia Alston-Harris

ALBANY – Cynthia (Cindy) Costonia Alston-Harris was born on March 7, 1959, and transitioned into eternal rest on Sunday, August 30, 2015 surrounded by her children, family and friends.

Cynthia is the daughter of Reverend Joseph S. Forte’ Sr. (deceased) and Mrs. Vera C. Forte.  She accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at the Mount Moriah Baptist Church, Hartford Connecticut by her then Pastor, Reverend David S. Craig.

Cynthia attended Fred D. Wish Elementary School, Hamilton Jr High School, and in 1977, graduated from Albany High School, Albany, N.Y., and then went on to further educate herself at Albany Business College and to become a Dental Assistant.

Cynthia later married her High School sweetheart, Wesley R. Harris Jr, which to this union was born Tasha, Torrien, and Terrell and Tayvon.

Cynthia served her country for three years by joining the United States Armed Forces.

Cindy loved everyone but, she had a “special love” for children; so much so, that she became a great Foster Parent.  Cindy absolutely loved and adored her Family and Friends and was very passionate about what she believed in and would advocate strongly for the less fortunate.

Cindy was reared in the Mt Olive Southern Missionary Baptist Church, under the Pastorate of the late Reverend Odell Wesley Surgick.  She became a member of the Oakgrove Missionary Baptist Church, Troy, NY, and later joined the Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church Albany, Reverend Mary E. Wallace, Pastor, where Cindy was a faithful Missionary, served as Trustee, Pastor’s Aide, and other committees.  Cindy volunteered her time ministering to the residents of Fairview Commons Rehabilitaion and Nursing Facility in Great Barrington Massachusetts, as well as Hudson Park Rehabilitation and Nursing Facility in Albany, NY. Cindy also loved cooking and reading.

Cynthia served her God, her Pastor, and her church very diligently and she truly loved the Lord!

Cynthia leaves to cherish her memory her Mother Mrs. Vera C. Forte, Housatonic Massachusetts; her children Tasha Letrease Alston-Harris, College Park, GA, Torrien Latrell Harris, Albany, NY, Khalia Faison and James Foster, Troy, NY; Siblings  A. Vanessa LeGrande, Housatonic, Massachusetts,  Jacqueline Denise (Minister Paul Sr.) Banks, Troy, NY, Reverend Joellen E. Forte’, Pittsfield, Massachusetts; Minister Prudence A Forte’ (Riccardo) Bray, Las Vegas, Nevada; Joseph S. (Mildred) Forte Jr, Albany, NY,  Johnny (Cynthia) Adams, Alabama; Virginia (Jerry) Norwood, Colonie, NY,  Zernon Adams, Sandy Adams, Florida; God Siblings Lois Evans, Florida, Reverend and Reverend Roland P. and Sandra Forbes, Lancaster, PA; Best Friends Barbara Morris, Wendy Wright, Albany, NY.

Cynthia was predeceased by her Dad, Reverend Joseph S. Forte Sr., her Sister Roberta S. Forte, and her sons Terrell L. and Tayvon L. Harris.

Funeral services will be held in the Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Albany, on Tuesday at 11 am.  Relatives and friends are invited, and may call at the church beginning at 9am (THESE ARE CORRECTED TIMES).  To leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com .