Gracie McAlister

Gracie Adelle McAlister, 84, of Bossier City, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother went to be with our Lord after passing away peacefully on August 17, 2025, following a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s. Gracie will be forever loved, remembered and missed by all who knew her.

Gracie was born on March 27, 1941, in Grand Junction, Tennessee to Clarence (C.L.) Dowty and Lorena Dixon Dowty. She spent the formative years of her life in Grand Junction. She graduated from Grand Junction High School in 1959 where she excelled in basketball, scoring forty-nine points in one game. Gracie continued her education at Memphis State University and Baptist Memorial Hospital where she received a degree as a registered nurse.

Gracie, as a young lady, continued to participate in the National Field Trials held in Grand Junction, Tennessee. She became an avid horse person from the experience. Gracie loved sports and she became addicted to golf, and she scored 2 holes in 1 with one of them being in Hawaii. Clint and Gracie loved their golf vacations throughout the United States and eight different countries. Her favorite course was Cape Kidnapper in New Zealand.

Gracie was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence (C.L.) and Lorena Dowty of Grand Junction, Tennessee, brother Daniel Dowty (Hermie) of Memphis, Tennessee, sister Hazel Dowty Huffman of Memphis, Tennessee, sister Gladys Dowty Wilhite (Larry) of Decatur, Alabama. She is survived by her loving husband, Clint, her brother David Dowty (Peggy) of Grand Junction, Tennessee, brother-in- law, Herbie Huffman of Memphis, Tennessee and sister-in-law Rhetta McAlister of Houston, Texas.

She is also survived by her children Julia Dickerson (Hugh) of Sachse, Texas, Timothy Cooper (Traci) of White Bluff, Tennessee, Clint McAlister, Jr. (Eva) of Neptune Beach, Florida, Charles McAlister of Bossier City, Louisiana, and Jan McAlister (Jim) of Atlanta, Georgia. She is also survived by her loving grandchildren, whom she adored, Whitney Smith (Jeremy), Amanda Hedrick (Dallas), Kristin Rose (Chris), Andrew Nichols (Chloe), Landon Cooper (Kayla), Aly Grace Russell (Jesse), Avery McAlister, Jake McAlister, Kelsie Faulkenberry (Lane), and Zach Dickerson. She also adored her fourteen Great-Grandchildren, Monreau, Dakota, Finn, Saylor, Cayden, Grayson, Reagann, Anslee, Charlee, Beckham, Annie Mae, Levi, Addy, and Samuel. Also left in loving memory are numerous nephews and nieces.

Gracie’s favorite activities were the time shared with her family. One activity stands out above all others. Unfortunately, all the grandchildren lived out of town, which was almost unbearable for her. She came up with the idea of “CAMP NANA” in 1986 and she and Clint devoted their summers to one-on-one experiences with individual grandchildren. The grandchildren were soon introduced to the “grocery store game” (no diets at NaNa’s) and they soon learned that NaNa would get them anything that they wanted. The only requirement that the grandchildren had was that they had to go play golf with NaNa. The grandchildren had difficulty returning to normal life when they returned to their parents after being “NaNafied”.

In 1983, Gracie married the love of her life, Clinton McAlister and what a wonderful life they shared for forty-one and a half years with their extended families.

Gracie was an active nurse for 20 years at various hospitals throughout the United States. She retired from Schumpert Hospital as Chief Nurse on 5 Medical Tower to help Clint care for his son Charles. She loved the close bond that she had with her patients, and she stayed in contact with many of her old patients and coworkers.

Gracie did participate in several outside activities. She and Clint were founding members of the Krewe of Gemini and Gracie was Queen of Gemini V in 1994.

Gracie also served on the Board of Directors of the Strand Theater, Board of Directors of Hospice at Bossier Medical Center, Board of Directors of the American Heart Association, and the Board of Directors of the Cambridge Club. Gracie’s favorite activity was quality time with her family and her large group of friends.

The pallbearers will be Gracie’s family, Landon Cooper, Andrew Nichols, Jake McAlister, Hugh Dickerson, Dallas Hedrick, Jeremy Smith, and Jim Ingvoldstad. Honorary pallbearers will be Dan Dowty and Paul Dowty.

Gracie and the family request with gratitude donations be made to: Parkinson’s Disease Resources, LSUHS Foundation, 920 Pierremont, Ste. 506, Shreveport, Louisiana 71106 and Evergreen Life Services, 2101 Hwy 80, Haughton, Louisiana 71037-9488.

The family will be accepting guests for visitation on Friday, August 22, 2025, from 11:00 AM until time of service at First United Methodist Church, Bossier City.

A Celebration of Gracie’s Life will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, August 22, 2025, at First United Methodist Church, 201 John Wesley Blvd, Bossier City, Louisiana 71112 with Rev. Donnie Wilkinson and Rev. David Dietzel.

Interment will immediately follow on the grounds of Hill Crest Memorial Park, 601 Hwy 80, Haughton, Louisiana 71037.

The family wants to express our sincerest gratitude to Gracie’s loving care givers: Shemika Blake, Doris Armstrong, Claudette Young, Elaine Parker, Alisha Davis, and Anayah Williams through her battle with Parkinson’s. You have truly touched our hearts with your unwavering love, support and compassion for our family.