James A. McAlister, III
Owner & Operator (LFDE 2005)
Jimmy McAlister, or "Jimbo" to his many friends, is owner and operator of the James A. McAlister Funeral Home. He is a fourth-generation funeral director and has worked in this profession since 1985.
He and his wife, Philippa, have three children: James IV, Catherine, and John. A native of Charleston, Jimmy and his family are long-time members of St. Mary's Catholic Church, the Hibernian Society, and many other groups and social clubs.
As was the custom with funeral directors of generations past, Jimmy is active in the daily operations of the funeral home, takes his turn being on call, and is present for nearly all funerals. This hands-on approach has endeared him to countless families who look to the James A. McAlister Funeral Home during their time of loss.
James A. McAlister, III
Owner & Operator (LFDE 2005)
Jimmy McAlister, or "Jimbo" to his many friends, is owner and operator of the James A. McAlister Funeral Home. He is a fourth-generation funeral director and has worked in this profession since 1985.
He and his wife, Philippa, have three children: James IV, Catherine, and John. A native of Charleston, Jimmy and his family are long-time members of St. Mary's Catholic Church, the Hibernian Society, and many other groups and social clubs.
As was the custom with funeral directors of generations past, Jimmy is active in the daily operations of the funeral home, takes his turn being on call, and is present for nearly all funerals. This hands-on approach has endeared him to countless families who look to the James A. McAlister Funeral Home during their time of loss.
Rodney J. Pendell
Funeral Director & Embalmer (LFDE 2721)
Rodney J. Pendell has been a licensed funeral director and embalmer for over 30 years and has been part of our firm since 2010.
An accomplished embalmer and restorative artist, Rodney leads our team in the preparation of loved ones for the families we serve. He also works directly with our families as an arranger and is actively involved in all phases of our services.
Rodney graduated in 1989 from John A. Gupton College of Mortuary Science in Nashville, TN, where he completed his Associate of Arts in Mortuary Science.
Rodney serves as Director of Music/Organist at St. Joseph Catholic Church and is actively involved in church music in churches of many different denominations.
Rodney moved to Charleston in the summer of 2002 and has been active in Funeral Service since he began helping out after school and on weekends at the McDonald Funeral Home in Centerville, TN. He has nearly 40 years experience and has been licensed for over 30 years.
Rodney J. Pendell
Funeral Director & Embalmer (LFDE 2721)
Rodney J. Pendell has been a licensed funeral director and embalmer for over 30 years and has been part of our firm since 2010.
An accomplished embalmer and restorative artist, Rodney leads our team in the preparation of loved ones for the families we serve. He also works directly with our families as an arranger and is actively involved in all phases of our services.
Rodney graduated in 1989 from John A. Gupton College of Mortuary Science in Nashville, TN, where he completed his Associate of Arts in Mortuary Science.
Rodney serves as Director of Music/Organist at St. Joseph Catholic Church and is actively involved in church music in churches of many different denominations.
Rodney moved to Charleston in the summer of 2002 and has been active in Funeral Service since he began helping out after school and on weekends at the McDonald Funeral Home in Centerville, TN. He has nearly 40 years experience and has been licensed for over 30 years.
Michelle Adams
Administrative Assistant
Michelle Adams has been active in funeral service for many years. She previously worked in preneed in her native Alabama, and since moving to Charleston, she has been involved in the administrative side of both preneed and at-need arrangements.
Michelle takes care of the many details required to serve our families, including composing and submitting obituary notices, filing life insurance, completing prearrangement forms, and offering full support to our funeral directors.
Callers to the funeral home are likely to be greeted first by Michelle, whose friendly voice has become a hallmark of the service we offer at James A. McAlister.
Michelle Adams
Administrative Assistant
Michelle Adams has been active in funeral service for many years. She previously worked in preneed in her native Alabama, and since moving to Charleston, she has been involved in the administrative side of both preneed and at-need arrangements.
Michelle takes care of the many details required to serve our families, including composing and submitting obituary notices, filing life insurance, completing prearrangement forms, and offering full support to our funeral directors.
Callers to the funeral home are likely to be greeted first by Michelle, whose friendly voice has become a hallmark of the service we offer at James A. McAlister.
Tripp Clayton
Funeral Assistant
Tripp Clayton joined our firm in October of 2017 and is currently a Funeral Service Assistant.
He previously worked the College of Charleston Police Department, ultimately serving as a training officer. He worked for a short time just after high school at a local funeral home and decided to return to the profession.
Tripp, his wife Allison, and their daughter Raegan live in Summerville, and Allison works in the private landscaping profession.
Tripp Clayton
Funeral Assistant
Tripp Clayton joined our firm in October of 2017 and is currently a Funeral Service Assistant.
He previously worked the College of Charleston Police Department, ultimately serving as a training officer. He worked for a short time just after high school at a local funeral home and decided to return to the profession.
Tripp, his wife Allison, and their daughter Raegan live in Summerville, and Allison works in the private landscaping profession.
Robert Kerr
Funeral Director (LFD#4411)
The James A. McAlister Funeral Home is proud to announce the addition of Bob Kerr to our team.
Bob is a licensed funeral director who is ready to provide the excellent service our firm uniquely offers in the Charleston area.
He is a native of Charleston, having grown up in the Peninsula and West Ashley. Bob has the unique experience of growing up in the family-owned Palms Motel home on Savannah Highway.
As one of six children, Bob attended Blessed Sacrament School and Bishop England High School, where he wrestled for three years. As expected of all the family, during high school he worked in the family-owned business of Stadium Sales concessions and souvenirs at The Citadel, College of Charleston, and Charleston Pirates baseball farm team.
Bob attended Furman University, earning both Bachelors and Masters degrees in Chemistry. He enjoyed a 40-year career in Textile and Chemical manufacturing as a Research Chemistry, Research Director, Business Development and Business Manager in South Carolina, Georgia, England, and Japan with Milliken and Company (30 years) and Renfrow Brothers (10 years), both of Spartanburg, SC. Bob has earned 130 patents, and the designations of Project Manager Professional (PMP) and Licensed Funeral Director.
Bob and Kathy have been married for 44 years and blessed with four children and seven grandchildren. He is a bass singer in the St. Joseph Catholic Church Choir, where he is an active parishioner.
Bob enjoys family gatherings, music, golf, football, Folly Beach, travel, gardening, and carpentry.
Robert Kerr
Funeral Director (LFD#4411)
The James A. McAlister Funeral Home is proud to announce the addition of Bob Kerr to our team.
Bob is a licensed funeral director who is ready to provide the excellent service our firm uniquely offers in the Charleston area.
He is a native of Charleston, having grown up in the Peninsula and West Ashley. Bob has the unique experience of growing up in the family-owned Palms Motel home on Savannah Highway.
As one of six children, Bob attended Blessed Sacrament School and Bishop England High School, where he wrestled for three years. As expected of all the family, during high school he worked in the family-owned business of Stadium Sales concessions and souvenirs at The Citadel, College of Charleston, and Charleston Pirates baseball farm team.
Bob attended Furman University, earning both Bachelors and Masters degrees in Chemistry. He enjoyed a 40-year career in Textile and Chemical manufacturing as a Research Chemistry, Research Director, Business Development and Business Manager in South Carolina, Georgia, England, and Japan with Milliken and Company (30 years) and Renfrow Brothers (10 years), both of Spartanburg, SC. Bob has earned 130 patents, and the designations of Project Manager Professional (PMP) and Licensed Funeral Director.
Bob and Kathy have been married for 44 years and blessed with four children and seven grandchildren. He is a bass singer in the St. Joseph Catholic Church Choir, where he is an active parishioner.
Bob enjoys family gatherings, music, golf, football, Folly Beach, travel, gardening, and carpentry.
