Lorene McAllister

OLIVE BRANCH, Ill. -- Lorene Miller McAllister, 85, of Oak Park, Mich., formerly of Olive Branch, died Monday, Jan. 19, 2009, at Beaumont Hospital in Oak Park.

She was born July 16, 1923, in Tamms, Ill., daughter of the late Roy James and Effie Holshouser Miller. She married the Rev. James McAllister March 19, 1944, at Olive Branch Methodist Church. He preceded her in death Jan. 26, 1990.

Lorene received her schooling at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale on an earned scholarship and then attended Asbury College in Wilmore, Ky. After a short career in public teaching, she devoted her life to the ministry along with her husband before he died. She was a member of the United Church of Christ in Oak Park.

She is survived by three sisters, Lois Miller Farris of Cape Girardeau, Frances J. Miller Reid of Jackson, Elsie Miller Munson of St. Augustine, Fla.; two brothers, Curtis (Mary) Miller and Eugene (Wilma) Miller, all of Tamms; nieces; nephews; other relatives; and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, the Rev. James McAllister; a daughter, Sharlyn McAllister, Jan. 9, 2009; a brother, Clifford C. Miller; and a sister, Grace Duff.

Visitation will be from noon to 12:45 p.m. Friday at Crain Funeral Home in Anna.

Graveside service will be at 1 p.m. Friday at St. John's Cemetery, with the Rev. Larry Buckles officiating.