She had been a bookkepper for the former Stanley Jones Mechanical Contracting Company and had lived in this area all of her life.
She is survived by her husband - Curtis McAlister of South Fulton, TN, whom she married Jan. 31, 1947; a son - Roger McAlister of Tampa, FL & 2 brothers - Curtis Cates of Fulton, KY and Eugene Cates of Chattanooga, TN.
She was preceded in death by her parents - Rev. Paul Cates & Vera Thersa (Aikin) Cates and a son - Gary Russell McAlister.
Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 13,2008 at the Mt. Zion Cemetery near Water Valley, KY. Friends may call at the funeral home from 12 noon on Tuesday until time to leave for the cemetery for services.