Bobby Joe McAllister departed this life on Friday, August 28, after a courageous 4-year battle with cancer. His indomitable spirit and zest for life made him a force to be reckoned with! Bobby was the tenth of eleven children born to Mamie Billings McAllister and Charlie Dickey McAllister, and was born in Morgan County, Alabama. He was preceded in death by his oldest son, Joe (Carol), and his daughter, Jill Larsen. He leaves behind his wife of 56 years, Jeri Lynne Jones McAllister; two sisters: Martha Bates of Huntsville and Joyce Miller of Paris, TN; a beloved brother-in-law, Leland Jones (Judy); two sons, Jeffrey Leland McAllister and Jeremy Clyde McAllister (Kristie); seven grandchildren: Robert Larsen, Katherine Larsen, Erin McAllister Lopez (Ramses), Will Clark McAllister, Hanna McAllister, Grace McAllister, and Alyssa Miller. The light of his life was his great- grandson, Layton Joseph Lopez, (“Joyboy”) whose “Papa” was his best buddy. He brightened Bobby’s life immeasurably for the 20 months that they shared together on this earth. Bobby was a member of Mayfair Church of Christ all of his adult life, and took such joy in serving others on Mayfair’s construction crew, the “Hammerheads.” He made dozens of mission trips, helping to build church buildings, camps, houses, and schools in Georgia, New York, Mexico, Panama, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Belize, and many, many trips to storm and flood-ravaged areas here in the U.S. to “muck out” houses, clear debris, build emergency shelters, cut trees, repair what could be repaired and rebuild what could not. Although relatively small in physical stature, he had the heart of a giantand was known for his big booming laugh and a hug for everyone he knew. No matter where he was in the church building, you could track him by that laugh! The family gratefully acknowledges the love and attention shown to us during Bobby’s illness by our friends and church family, the entire staff of CCI in Huntsville, and most especially the loving care showered on us by Bobby’s oncologist, Dr. Philip McGee, whom he loved like a son. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Berryhill Funeral Home, with Dr. Gary Bradley of Mayfair Church of Christ officiating. Visitation will be at Mayfair on Monday, August 31 beginning at 2:30 p.m. until time for funeral service at 4:00. A family private interment service will be held at Valhalla on Tuesday. Those wishing to make a memorial gift are encouraged to consider Mission Lazarus (care of Mayfair Church of Christ); Agape of North Alabama, Madison Academy, or Wounded Warriors. Berryhill Funeral Home is assisting the family.
