Mrs. Gloria McAlister's Obituary
Gloria Maria (Marchetti) McAlister, BELOVED mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother born October 21, 1923 left this earth on September 3, 2017. She was preceded in death by her husband Joe McAlister; her father-the patriarch of the family-Luigi Marchetti; her mother, Giaconda (Augostini) Marchetti; sisters-Elizabeth Moss and Josephina Carter; brothers-Geno Marchetti, Umberto Marchetti, and Joseph Marchetti. She is survived by her daughters-Derina Lassiter (Carl) and Debby Norman (Joe) and her son Michael McAlister; her grandchildren: DeAnna Walls (Michael); Star Laurence; Dane Easler; Tara Duncan (Shawn); Heather Norman; Andy McAlister; Vincent McAlister; and her great-grandchildren: Falynn Norman; Haven Walls; Blake Norman; Christopher Bitter; Eden Laurence; Glorie Duncan; Ava Laurence; Dennon Easler; and Tyler McAlister.
Gloria was the last member of the descendents from the immediate Marchetti family who came to the United States from Barga, Italy with the hope of building a better life. These strong family ties were passed down to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was the matriarch of her family and was known and loved by all as "Mama Gloria."
She was a devoted wife to her husband, Joe McAlister, for 55 years. Gloria traveled and lived with him around the world through his work as a fisheries advisor for the USAID and the United Nations. She resided in the West Africa nations of Ghana and Nigeria; Panama; Costa Rica; Malaysia and Oman. She fondly recalled connections with friends from these locations throughout her life and stayed in contact with them for decades after their jobs with the UN had ended.
She drew strength from her unwavering trust in God and her Catholic faith. She gave to various charitable organizations associated with animal rights, children's hospitals, and orders within the Catholic Church, as well as Saint Joseph Catholic Church of which she was member for many years. She passed along many stories, recipes, and prayers to all who came to visit.
Visitation will be at Spring Hill Funeral Home, 5110 Gallatin Pike South, Madison, Tennessee 37115, on Wednesday September 6, 2017 from 2:00pm until 6:00pm, Rosary will be held at 6:30pm. Visitation will also be held on Thursday September 7, 2017 from 12pm until 2pm at Saint Joseph Catholic Church, 1225 Gallatin Pike South, Madison, Tennessee 37115, with the funeral mass to follow at 2:00pm. Officiating: Father John Baptiste and Father Ben Butler. Burial: Spring Hill Cemetery following the funeral.
Pall Bearers: Shawn Duncan, Dane Easler, Troy Jernigan, Blake Norman, Jeff Stacey, David Wade and Michael Walls. Honorary Pall Bearers: John Jernigan, Joseph Lohner, Carl Lassiter, John Laurence, Joe Marchetti Jr., Johnny Marchetti, Andy McAlister, Michael McAlister and Pete Norman.
What’s your fondest memory of Gloria?
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