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Memorial for Ruth A. McAlister
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Born in San Antonio, Texas on Aug. 12, 1911
Departed on Feb. 12, 2010 and resided in Austin, TX.
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| Visitation: |
Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2010
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| Service: |
Thursday, Feb. 18, 2010
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| Cemetery: |
Evergreen Cemetery
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Please click on the links above for locations, times, maps, and directions.
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Ruth Anna Christopher McAlister was born in San Antonio, Texas on August 12, 1911. She was the eighth child of nine born to the late Joe and Sallie Jackson Christopher. She was 98 1/2 when she entered into eternal rest on February 12, 2010.
Ruth McAlister attended public schools in San Antonio, Texas. She received her Bachelor's degree in education from Prairie View College now known as Prairie View A&M University. Her graduate work was done at the University of Texas at Austin and Ruth became the first black female teacher to receive a Master's in Special Education in 1953.
While attending Prairie View A&M college Ruth met the late Robert Thomas McAlister and later married him on November 17, 1935 while they were both on the faculty of the Texas Blind, Deaf and Orphan School. This was the only school for Black Blind, Deaf and Orphan children. To this union of Thomas and Ruth two daughters were born.
Ruth had an illustrious career as a teacher of Special Education in the Austin Independent School District. She was supervisor of Special Education and the first African-American to hold a supervisory position in the Austin Independent School District. She retired from this position in 1976 after a total of thirty-eight (38) years with the Austin Independent School District.
She began her involvement with the Church in her early years. Upon moving to Austin she became a member of the Wesley Chapel Church, now known
as Wesley United Methodist Church, where she was a member for seventy-five (75) years.
Ruth's community involvement includes working with many community organizations with membership in The Douglass Club, top Ladies of Distinction, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., the Queen of Sheba No. 3 order of the Eastern Star and I. W. Bridge Club.
Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, parents, eight brothers and many dear relatives and friends.
She leaves to cherish her life, love and memory, two daughters: Barbara Ruth McAlister of Austin, Texas and Mary Ann Jackson (Roland, Sr.) of Los Angeles, California; four grandchildren: Vincent L. Baker (Michelle) of Brooklyn, New York, Teresa M. Baker (Eddie Rich III) of Las Vegas, Nevada, Roland I. Jackson, Jr. (Karen) of Sacramento, California and Susan M. Alleyne (Leslloyd) of Bloomfield, Connecticut; two great grandchildren: Ryan X. Jackson and Nathan Jackson. She also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.
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