Elizabeth Gwathmey McAllister was born January 27, 1925 in Upshaw, VA, King William County. She entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, March 15, 2017 at Memorial Regional Medical Center in Mechanicsville, Virginia

Elizabeth started her education in King William County at Globe Elementary School and graduated from King William Training School June 1941. Elizabeth enrolled in Virginia State College in fall of 1941 and graduated June 4, 1945 with a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics. While at Virginia State Elizabeth met Leroy T. McAllister, and later married May 11, 1946; to this union were born two sons Leroy and Ernest.

While at Virginia State, Elizabeth played on the legendary "Dream Team" Women's Basketball team. While pursuing her passion for learning she also attended Cornell University, Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Virginia where she received additional training. Elizabeth's career clearly reflects her love and pursuit of education and knowledge. Elizabeth's passion as an educator resulted in her teaching women to be better Homemakers as a Home Demonstration Agent in Hanover County.

Elizabeth joined the faculty of Carver Elementary in Richmond Virginia, in 1955 where she taught Home Economics, Head Start and Elementary Education. During this period Elizabeth enrolled in The Graduate School of Virginia State College as a part-time student and earned a Master of Science degree in Elementary Education and Certification for Guidance Counseling. It was in the specialty that she excelled. Elizabeth completed her tenure of service in Richmond Public Schools as a Guidance Counselor for many years at Woodville Elementary School. She taught and advised hundreds of children in the Richmond Public Schools in a career that spanned 35 years when she retired in June 1985.

Elizabeth was a lifetime member of St. Paul Baptist Church, King William, Virginia where she was ordained as the first woman Deacon. She served as director of the Vacation Bible School and the superintendent of Sunday school among other roles.

Elizabeth's lifetime of public and civic work and duties in King William County were countless; she believed that the King William Training School gave her a solid foundation on which to pursue her career and taught her how to set and achieve her goals. It was through that experience which prepared her to receive the distinguished Alumnus of the Year award from Virginia State University as well as other awards for outstanding public services and accomplishments. Elizabeth's Community involvement includes but was not limited to the following:

• Chair of the Home Economics Association

• Life member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority

• Lifetime member of the NAACP

• Lifetime member of Virginia State University Alumni Association

• Lifetime member of the Virginia retired Teachers Association

• Board member of the Quinn River Area Agency on Aging

• Member King William Historical Society and Museum Council

• Active in Upper King William Senior Citizen Center

• Pamunkey Bapt. Assoc. / Ebony Cultural and Historical Society

• Member of the King William training school / Hamilton Holmes High School alumni association; served in many capacities including recording secretary for a number of years as well as the chair of the membership committee.

• Extension agent in King William County from 1945 to 1948 and in the same capacity in Hanover County from 1950 to 1953.

• 1980 to 1985 - President of the Hanover chapter of Virginia State University alumni and President of Region 3 Alumni Association 1987 - 1997

• NAACP membership chairperson King William County

• Sunday school superintendent of St. Paul Baptist Church

• King William extension service Advisory Board member

• Virginia State University National alumni board member

• 1982 - Virginia State University Alumnus of the year

• 1982 - Delta Sigma Theta sorority Community Service award.

• 1982 - Member of the executive board for the Virginia school Counselors Association; awarded for outstanding services and contributions

• 1983 - Counselor of the year for the state of Virginia by the state Counselors Association

Elizabeth leaves to cherish her memory, a loving and devoted family; two children, Leroy Jr. and Ernest; two daughters in law; Marie and Kim; two grandsons, Leroy III of Richmond, Virginia and Vincent of Aylett, Virginia; one granddaughter, Kenya McKnight (Shafton) of Bear, Delaware; one great granddaughter, Hallie Marie; three sisters in law, Essie, LaVerne, Francis and Burnett Gwathmey; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and devoted friends.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 19, 2017 at St. Paul Baptist Church, 1995 Globe Road, Aylett, Va. 23009 from 3pm to 6pm. An Omega service will be held during visitation.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Monday, March 20, 2017 at 1:00pm at the church.

Interment will follow in the church cemetery.