Ruth Elizabeth Betty M Allister, February 08, 1930 — December 12, 2018

Obituary for Ruth Elizabeth “Betty” McAllister Ruth Elizabeth “Betty” McAllister, 88, of Cape Girardeau, Missouri died Wednesday, December 12, 2018 at Southeast Hospital. She was born February 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 1970’s and 1980’s. Betty wrote and published a cookbook based on her column entitled “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; one 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. Celebration of life will be at 3:00 pm Tuesday, December 18, 2018 at Church of Christ, 328 S. West End Blvd in Cape Giradeau with 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 & Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Ruth Elizabeth “Betty” McAllister please visit our Sympathy Store. Upcoming Events Celebration of Life DEC 18.

3:00 PM Church of Christ 328 S. West End Blvd. Cape Giradeau, MO, US, 63703 Order Flowers for the Celebration of Life Guaranteed delivery before Ruth’s Celebration of Life begins.

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