Born January 8, 1938 in Culpeper, VA, she was a daughter of the late Clarence Thomas and Mamie Florence (Woodard) Keyes.
Betty attended Waynesboro Church of Christ. Prior to retirement, she was employed with the Salvation Army Store where she lastly served as a manager. Betty enjoyed spending time with her family, cooking, and sewing. She will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and aunt.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Leland Cash “Mac” McAlister; three brothers, Ralph, Ray, and Garland Keyes; and two sisters, Mary Cogar and Alma Hurt.
Survivors include her four children, Patricia A. Diaz and husband, Esmeraldo of Verona, Judy Dean and companion, Donald Vaughan of Chester, VA, Michael Wayne McAlister of Weyers Cave, and William Thomas “Tom” McAlister and wife, Cheryl of Moneta, VA; 13 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; sister, Barbara Harris of Lyndhurst; and numerous sisters-in law, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 29, 2020 at the Waynesboro Chapel of Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes, 618 W. Main St., Waynesboro. Due to COVID-19, all those who plan to attend will be required to wear a facemask and respect social distancing.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 30, 2020 at Waynesboro Church of Christ, 227 Bookerdale Road, Waynesboro, with Minister Allen Close officiating. Due to COVID-19, all those who plan to attend will be required to wear a facemask and respect social distancing. Burial will follow in Augusta Memorial Park.
Active pallbearers will be her grandsons: Jason Cooper, Jonathan Dean, Jeremy Dean, Matthew Dean, Jose Diaz, Leland “Tommy” McAlister, Alex “Kent” McAlister, and Adam McAlister.
Those desiring may make memorial contributions to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 (https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html) or Shriners Hospitals for Children, Processing Center, P.O. Box 863765, Orlando, FL 32886 (https://donate.lovetotherescue.org/give/119312/?utm_source=shcmain#!/donation/checkout )
Arrangements have been entrusted to Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes of Waynesboro.
Relatives and friends may share condolences and memories with the family online by visiting www.reynoldshamrickfuneralhomes.com
