Ross B. McAlister Jr.

He was born on January 10, 1919 in McNeil, AR to Ross and Nettie McAlister.

Ross was a member of First Baptist Church-Moores Lane where he served as a deacon and was a member of the JOB-WOW Sunday school class.

Ross grew up on a 94 acre family farm in McNeil, AR in Columbia county were the his family worked hard building fences, cutting wood and plowing fields every day after school which instilled the hard work ethic that stayed with him thru his life.

After graduating from McNeil High School in 1938, Ross graduated in 1940 from Magnolia A & M (now Southern Arkansas University). During his years at college he served in the Arkansas National Guard Infantry. He moved to Texarkana after college and worked for Cotton Belt Railroad where he retired after 33 years in 1978. He was drafted in 1944 and this began his 30 year military career and concluded as a Commander in the Arkansas National Guard retiring as a Major.

Upon retirement he drove cars for a local dealerships for 33 years. He served as a Bowie county election judge for 15 years.

Mr. McAlister is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Merilyn and two brothers, Bo McAlister and Carlton McAlister.

Survivors include his sister Wortha Miller of Lake Ridge, VA; son Ross L. McAlister of Texarkana, and daughter and son in-law Debby and Toney Smith of Burleson, TX; 6 grandsons ; 15 great grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Services will be 2pm Sunday April 7, 2013 at First Baptist Church-Moores Lane with Rev. Larry Sims and Toney Smith officiating. Burial will be in Rondo Cemetery under the direction of East Funeral Home-Moores Lane.

Family will receive friends from 5 to 8pm Saturday, April 6, 2013 at East Funeral Home-Moores Lane.

In lieu of flowers memorials made be made to a charity of your choice.

Online tributes can be made at www.eastfuneralhomes.com.