Patricia Ann McAlister, 60, of Beaumont left this earth on June 21, 2006 to begin her eternal life with her Savior in Heaven after her long battle with leukemia.
Patricia was born in Gladewater, Texas on April 8, 1946 to Allan Bryan and Roberta Mae Caldwell. In 1958, they moved to Marshall, Texas, where she graduated from Marshall High School in May, 1964. Shortly thereafter, they moved to Beaumont, Texas. She attended Stephen F. Austin College in Nacogdoches and in April of 1966 she was married. This union was blessed with two daughters. Sheryl was born in Denton in April, 1967, and later after moving to Houston, Bryanne was born in March, 1969. These two daughters were the pride and joy of Patricia’s life.
She went to work for Southwestern Bell in 1976, as a service order writer, later transferring to AT&T Phone Centers as a sales consultant. She worked there until she took early retirement in 1992. Upon moving back to Beaumont, she attended First Baptist Church. It was there she met Philip McAlister, the love of her life, and they were married in July, 1978. This marriage blended two families, Patricia and her two daughters with Philip and his son, Rob and his daughter, Megan. Patricia was always proud of this family they formed and was a good mother to all four children. She and Philip celebrated their 25th Wedding Anniversary on July 27, 2003.
Home and family always came first in Patricia’s life. She loved entertaining and having holidays with all the family together. She decorated from New Years Day to Christmas and was always active in her church and her community. Patricia and Philip joined Calvary Baptist in 1985, they attended Sunday school and church, and Patricia attended the Women’s Bible Study classes. She was also active in the Golden Triangle Emmaus Community and had attended her spiritual Walk to Emmaus on Walk 76 in March of 2003. Patricia was very strong supporter of the Republican Party, a member of the Jefferson County Republican Women, and the Jefferson County Republican Party. She worked on all Presidential Elections, starting in college when she campaigned for Barry Goldwater in 1964 and continued to be active and campaigned for George W. Bush in 2000. Patricia was a member of the A&M Mother’s Club and was an officer while her son Rob attended A&M and volunteered at Baptist Hospital. She and Phil enjoyed playing bridge and were in a couple’s bridge club for many years while she was also a member of some women’s bridge clubs. They loved to travel and went on many cruises, but her true favorite activity was spending time with her grandchildren. She kept her two oldest grandsons while their mother worked until she was diagnosed in 1998 with leukemia. Patricia was blessed with two more grandchildren, a granddaughter and grandson who live in New Orleans.
Patricia is survived by her husband, Philip McAlister of Beaumont; daughters, Sheryl Carruth and her husband Rick and Bryanne Palermo and her husband Mike all of Beaumont, Megan McAlister of Belize; son, Rob McAlister and his wife Christy of New Orleans; grandchildren, Matthew Carruth, Patrick Carruth, Caroline McAlister, Jake McAlister, Rick Carruth, III, Lane Carruth; sister, Allyne Chesnut and her husband Joe of Beaumont; nephew, Allan Chesnut and his wife Beverly; great nephews, Andrew and Samuel Chesnut; brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Carolyn McAlister of Lumberton; mother-in-law, Velda McAlister of Beaumont; two beloved pets, Abigal, her Dalmatian and her Persian cat, Buttermilk. She was preceded in death by her parents, Allan and Roberta Caldwell; twin grandchildren of Bryanne and Mike Palermo; niece, Kimberly Chesnut; twin great nieces, Amy and Alise Chesnut and her father-in-law, R.L. McAlister.
Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Saturday, June 24, 2006 at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive with burial to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. A gathering of family and friends will be Friday evening June 23, 2006 from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at the mortuary.
Memorial contributions may be made to MD Andersen Leukemia Clinic c/o Dr. Charles Koller, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, Texas 77030, Puddin’s Place, 2512 Highway 69 South, Lumberton, Texas 77657, Humane Society of Southeast Texas, 2050 Spindeltop Road, Beaumont, Texas 77705.
