Fay McAlister

Fay Curenton McAlister, a much-loved mother and dedicated teacher, died Oct. 2, 2011, in Atlanta, Ga. She was 85.
Fay was born Aug. 17, 1926, in Alabama to James Arthur Curenton and Sallie Simmons Curenton. At Howard College now Samford University in Birmingham, Ala., she met the love of her life, Durwood “Mac” McAlister. They married after her graduation in 1950 and took up residence in Anniston, Ala., where he began a long career in newspaper journalism while she worked as a civilian for the military, editing nerve gas manuals.
The first of their three children was born there in 1953. A year later, they moved to Atlanta, where Mac took a job with The Atlanta Journal, rising eventually to managing editor and editorial page editor.
After several years at home with their children, Fay became a teacher in the DeKalb County school system, teaching math to mostly 4th- or 5’h- graders at Columbia Elementary School and Fernbank Elementary School. Although working full-time, she never stopped learning and proudly earned her masters degree in education from Georgia State University in 1975. Fay retired in the early 1990s, but even two decades later was recognized and greeted by former students. She was often delighted to hear that they still remembered some of the concepts she taught.
In retirement, she and Mac traveled the world, often with friends or family, including trips to China, Israel, Greece, Russia, Scandinavia and Alaska. She also did volunteer work at Georgia Baptist Hospital.
Fay enjoyed cryptogram puzzles, choral music, books, the Atlanta Braves, family get-togethers, ice cream and especially her grandchildren. She had a deep faith in God, and was a long-time member of Glenwood Hills Baptist Church in Decatur and later First Baptist Church of Decatur. Her sharp mind and sweet nature were surpassed only by her practical common sense and unflagging dedication to the welfare of her family.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, with whom she shared 58 years of marriage; her parents; her brother, Grady Curenton; her sister, Norma Ptomey; and her son-in-law, Gary Pope. She is survived by son David McAlister and wife Beth of Decatur, Ga., and their children, Katie of Cambria, Calif., and Thomas of Decatur; daughter Jane McAlister Pope and her son Brendan, both of Davidson, N.C., and her step-daughter Sara of Tampa, Fla.; son Don McAlister and wife Amy, and their children Lewis, David, Kevin and Maggie, all of Apex, N.C.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9, 2011, at First Baptist Church of Decatur, with the Rev. Julie Pennington-Russell officiating. Visitation with the family will begin at 2 p.m., and a reception will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to First Baptist Church of Decatur, 308 Clairemont Ave., Decatur, GA 30030.