Elsie Viola McAllister, nee Wilson, age 91, passed away peacefully on July 16, 2023. She and her twin sister Elnora were the sixth and seventh of eight children. Elsie was born in Detroit, MI on September 25, 1931 and raised in Pana, IL and Newellton, LA. Elsie and Elnora attended nursing school in Vicksburg, MS. They spent a semester studying at Michael Reese Hospital in Chicago where she met her beloved husband Charles Joseph McAllister (Chuck). They were married in 1951. When they had children, Elise took a break from nursing to raise the kids. In 1987, Elsie received her BSN at Purdue University Northwest. Elsie worked as a nurse at St. Margaret’s Hospital and Michael Reese Clinic in the Chicago area. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Griffith, serving as a Sunday school teacher and she conducted multiple grieving classes. She was a former long-time member of Lorimer Memorial Baptist Church, Dolton, IL and Cornell Avenue Baptist Church in Chicago, IL. Elsie’s ultimate gift to family and friends was the example of how she lived her life. She was a devoted wife and mother and always viewed life positively, regardless of the circumstances. She was full of joy and happiness and reveled in the beauty of nature. Her sweet smile and gentle ways will be sorely missed by her children Janis (George) Hoehn, Nancy Roe, Robert (Rita) McAllister and Kent (Christina Fticsar) McAllister; her grandchildren Luke (Jessica) Hoehn, Dana (John) Turbes, Kelly Hoehn, Carly (Nick) Sisco, Shawna (Ceileigh McAndrew) McAllister, Katelynn (Zachary) Koester, Andrew (Cassidy) McAllister, Charlotte McAllister and Jack McAllister; and her great grandchildren Graham, Liam, Clara, Maisie and Henry. Elsie was preceded in death by her dearest husband Chuck; her mother Lula Howell Wilson, and father Everett Wilson; and her siblings and their spouses: Benjamin (Opal) Wilson, Paul Wilson, Beulah Whitehead, Susie (Jimmy Ray) Arnold, Clara (Fred) Keys, Elnora (Eddie) Smith and Evelyn Mayhall; and her son-in-law Orville Roe. She was the fond aunt of many.

Visitation Thursday, July 27, 2023, from 9:30 a.m. until the time of an 11:30 a.m. Funeral Service at Cumberland Chapels 8300 W. Lawrence Ave., Norridge, IL. The interment will follow at Mount Greenwood Cemetery in Chicago. For more information call (708)456-8300. No flowers please, instead consider donating in Elsie’s name to Central Baptist Village in Norridge, IL or to the Alzheimer’s Association.