Virginia McAllister

Virginia Ruth Porter McAllister was born on August 7, 1921, in Deport, Texas, the daughter of Danial Wright Porter Jr.,, born in Deport, Texas, and his wife, Thursey Charlotte Brackeen Porter, born in Georgia, Texas. Virginia departed this life in her sleep on October 12, 2022. Unfortunately, she lost her only spouse and daughter before her, A.D. McAllister Jr. and Janet Virginia McAllister Collier (the spouse of Carl Melvin Collier) way too early due to cancer. While working at the Ear, Nose, and Throat Clinic at Camp Maxie in Paris, Texas, Virginia met A.D., who was training there to become a WWII bombardier. They married on September 1, 1943, in Paris, Texas. At A.D.'s insistence while overseas, Virginia left Blossom, Texas, for Fayetteville, Ark., and the home of A.D. McAllister Sr. (a former Fayetteville Mayor) and his wife, Matilda (who owned and operated Matilda's Dress shop on the west side of the downtown square for 25 years), so that Janet would be born an Arkansan as was A.D.'s only son, A.D. (Lonnie) McAllister III. Virginia worked as a part-time teacher at the Fayetteville High School, where she taught typing and P.E. When A.D. Sr. became ill, Virginia took over the job of running Matilda's for some 37 years until A.D. became ill. Virginia left behind three grandchildren, Melvin (Mel) Carl Collier, Jr., Meredith Virginia Collier Dowse, both of Fayetteville, and Melanie Dawn McAllister of Mountain View, Ark.; as well as four great-grandchildren, Christopher (Chris) Carl Collier, Jamie Grace Collier, Hailey Vae Dowse, and Katelyn Cartier Dowse, all of Fayetteville. She has one great-great grandson, Braylen McKinley Cate, also of Fayetteville; as well as numerous relatives scattered throughout the state of Texas. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Moore's Chapel in Fayetteville and no services are planned, however the family requests that any memorial donations be sent to either the local chapter of the American Cancer Society or the Junior Diabetes Foundation located at 4241 Gabel Dr Suite 2B, Fayetteville, Ark. 72703. To place an online tribute, please visit www.bernafuneralhomes.com