Ella Wadena McAlister

Our mother, life coach, and friend, Ella Wadena McAlister was born in Comanche County, TX on December 31, 1932 and departed this world peacefully on August 10, 2013 at Graceland assisted living center in San Antonio. This ended her battle with a rare form of pancreatic cancer and began a new adventure she had been preparing for her entire life.

Ella accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior at an early age and remained a faithful follower and member of His church for all of her days. She was valedictorian of her senior class before attending and graduating from Abilene Christian College.

Ella was a teacher and school administrator by profession and had a passion for educating children and a gift for providing encouragement and preparing them for life's challenges. She loved the Lord, her family and friends, traveling, gardening, reading and writing poetry, and neighborhood walks where she was always on the lookout for someone to stop and visit with. It was on these sunset walks that mother would occasionally share her simple farm girl logic and wisdom.

Ella felt it was important to 'live your life like an open book' and know that 'if you have enough, you have a feast.' The last walk we took together she told me that the most important words we would hear at the end of life's journey would be, "Well done my good and faithful servant".

We have absolutely no doubt that is exactly what Elle heard and we rejoice in her victory and share her belief that God's promise is true: "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints" (Psalm 116:15). She will be missed and we know with certainty that Ella is in the presence of her Lord and Savior and has found His complete healing and eternal peace.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and numerous relatives.

Ella is survived by two daughters, Valinda Bacon and husband, Ross of San Antonio and Joy Dillenbeck and husband, Rick of Schulenburg; one son, Paul McAlister and wife, Michele of Abilene; one brother, Roger George and wife, Wanda of Stephenville; one sister, Anna Marie Lindley and husband, Charles of Clifton; one uncle, Junior Doggett of Littlerock, AR; six grandchildren, Preston and Luke Bacon, Chet and Wade Dillenbeck and Justin and Lindy McAlister.

The family would like to thank her church family and friends in Brady as well as the staff at Graceland (our angels), Dr. Jeff Glass, and Dr. David Gordon for their incredible guidance and support in helping to prolong her life and make her last days as comfortable as possible.

MEMORIAL SERVICE

SATURDAY

AUGUST 17, 2013

11:00 A.M.

SUNSET RIDGE CHURCH OF CHRIST

2203 MENARD HWY

BRADY, TX 76825

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Wadena's memory to:

1) Abilene Christian University: www.acu.edu/advancement/ways/index.html for online information and giving or mail to: Abilene Christian University, Advancement, PO Box 29132, Abilene, TX 79699

2) Arms of Hope (Medina and Boles Children's homes) https://community.armsofhope.org/general-donation-form/ for online information and giving or mail to: Arms of Hope, 21300 State Highway 16 North, Medina, TX 78055