Betty McAllister

Ruth Elizabeth "Betty" McAllister, 88, of Cape Girardeau died Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2018, at Southeast Hospital.

She was born Feb. 8, 1930, in Des Moines, Iowa, to William A. and Helen L. Kidder. She and John G. "Jerry" McAllister were married June 6, 1949, at Des Moines. They settled in Cape Girardeau in 1967, where Jerry accepted a job as a professor at Southeast Missouri State University.

She was a stay-at-home mom for their two sons, Mark R. McAllister and Milton M. McAllister, until she decided to complete her teaching degree at Southeast Missouri State University when the boys were in junior high school. She taught English and reading at Meadow Heights High School in Patton, Missouri, before retiring in 1988.

She was the food columnist for the Bulletin Journal and then the Southeast Missourian in the 1970s and 1980s. Betty wrote and published a cookbook based on her column, "Family Favorites from the Kitchen of Castle Dreadful."

She was an avid knitter, reader, cook and hostess. She lived at Chateau Girardeau the final years of her life and was actively involved with the community there. She was devoted to her family and friends.

She was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church.

Survivors include her two sons, Mark (Cheryl) McAllister and Milton (Bridgette) McAllister; three grandchildren, Jacqueline (Chris) White, Margot (Jeremy) Hart and Ryan McAllister; three great-grandchildren, Lena Hart, Jocelyn White and Liam White; a sister, Carol Bradish; four brothers, William Kidder, Robert Kidder, Douglas Kidder and David Kidder; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband.

A celebration of life will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday at Church of Christ, 328 S. West End Blvd., in Cape Girardeau, with a reception to follow at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to a charity of choice.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.