Individual Details

Death

Russell
Edgar McAllister, Jr. 'R.E.' Sunflowers touch the sky; tomatoes fill both hands; sweet smell of honeydew upon hard-toiled land. The bountiful table, sometimes rabbit and deer, always enough throughout the years. Our country's colors he wore, prepared to defend during time of war. A husband, father, son, and brother, gone from us now to the most Holy Other. Mr. R.E. McAllister, 79, passed away at his favorite spot-his hunting cabin-in Angelus, SC the evening of Friday, June 20, 2008. A native Charlottean, Mr. McAllister was born April 5, 1929 to the late Russell Edgar McAllister Sr. and Doris Mae Garris McAllister. He attended Charlotte Central High and worked for and retired from the Charlotte Utilities Department after 29 years. He was a veteran of the Korean War, an avid farmer and hunter, and could tell a story to make your belly ache with laughter. Mr. McAllister was predeceased by his wife of 53 years, Anne McAllister. He is survived by his seven daughters, Linda Purgason, Debbie McAllister, Barbara (Ron) Baumgarner, Bebe Troppoli, Jenny (Tommy) Kirkpatrick, Diana McAllister, and Jackie (Mike) Wall, and by his son, Russell McAllister III. He is also survived by five grandsons, Brian (Liz) Rorie, Mike Purgason, Keith (Shannon) Purgason, Chad (Caroline) Rorie, and Andrew Troppoli; as well as by six granddaughters, Lael Rorie, Sonya McAllister, Christin Kirkpatrick, Keena Wall, Megan Kirkpatrick, and Ana Troppoli; and his five great grandchildren, Destiny Warr, Natalie Warr, Blaine Warr, Chloe Purgason, and Chasity Lee. Mr. McAllister is survived by his sisters, Peggy (Ray) Furr and Jean (Joe) Furr and by his brothers, Jerry McAllister, Tommy (Ruby) McAllister, Andy (Eleanor) McAllister, and Roger (Helen) McAllister. In addition to his deceased wife and parents, he was preceded in death by daughter Mary McAllister, grandson Jacob McAllister, and brother Fred McAllister. Services will be held Thursday, June 26, 2008 12:00 Noon in the chapel of Hankins and Whittington Funeral Home. The family will receive visitors for one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Ebenezer Presbyterian Church cemetery on Old Pineville Road. As an alternative option to flowers, memorial donations may be made in his name to American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312 or to K.T. Foundation, P.O. Box 205, Lakeview, NC 28350. Arrangements are in the care of Hankins & Whittington, 1111 East Blvd. Online at www.hankinsandwhittington.com. Published in the Charlotte Observer from 6/25/2008 - 6/26/2008.