Mayme S. McAlister
Mayme S. McAlister
March 7, 2013
Mayme Elizabeth Seay was born to William “Doc” Seay and Tommie Lou Lee Seay on March 7, 1922, in Franklin County.
As a young girl, the family lived in Key West, Fla., and later in Cincinnati, Ohio, until the TVA was established and the young family moved back to the South. Many years were spent in locations where the dams were being constructed. Among Mayme’s favorite memories of growing up were the years spent in Pickwick, Tenn.
The family always returned home to the family farm in Waco between TVA assignments where she enjoyed playing with her many cousins and visiting relatives.
Mayme graduated from Central High School in Chattanooga, Tenn., and Florence State Teachers College (now UNA). She married Buford Lano McAlister on April 19, 1941, in Russellville, where they raised their three children, Lanny, Sharon and Jeff.
Mayme taught school in Franklin County and Russellville for over 30 years until her retirement in 1983. She instilled in her students a lifelong love of literature, especially poetry. She was a member of First Baptist Church and was active in school, community and church groups throughout her life. Mayme will be remembered for her adventuresome and fun-loving spirit. Her positive attitude prevailed throughout her infirmity.
Mayme died on March 7, 2013, in Athens, on her 91st birthday surrounded by the love of her family.
Her parents, her husband, and a granddaughter, Betsy McAlister, preceded her in death.
She is survived by her children, Lanny McAlister and wife, Gail, and Jeff McAlister, all of Russellville, Sharon Grissom and husband, Curtis, of Athens; her sister, Doris Barnette and husband, Bill, of Atlanta, Ga.; grandchildren, Jennifer McAlister Lowery of Florence, Derek and Lee Ellen Grissom Sharp and Derrek and Laura Lou Grissom Smith, all of Birmingham, J.W. and Gretchen Grissom Ekiss, Norwalk, Conn., Will and Ashley McAlister, Florence, Nathan McAlister and John McAlister, Tuscaloosa; eight great-grandchildren, Zach, Tristan and Zeke Lowery, Gigi, Gentry and Molly Mac Sharp, and Elizabeth and Louisa Ekiss.
The funeral service was held Sunday, March 10, 2013, at First Baptist Church in Russellville. A private interment followed the service.
Memorials can be made to Russellville Elementary School Library, 133 Chucky Mullins Memorial Drive, Russellville, AL 35653.
