Sara Harris Mcalister

Sara Harris McAlister entered into eternal rest Sunday, March 13, 2016.The relatives and friends of Mr. and Mrs. John McAlister, Jr. are invited to attend her Funeral Service at 2:00 PM Friday, March 18, 2016, at Bethel United Methodist Church. Interment will follow at St. Lawrence Cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday, March 17, 2016,between 4:00 and 7:00 PM at the James A. McAlister Funeral Home, 1620 Savannah Highway, Charleston. Sara was born in Thomasville, Ga. on August 14, 1940, a daughter of Louise Watkins and John Nicholls Harris.Sara was her own person all of her life. She demonstrated great love and fierce devotion to Johnny, her sons, and family. She bravely and courageously fought - and won - numerous medical battles. With her great sense of humor, she wore tattoos to cover her bald head as she entertained her grandsons in the midst of her chemotherapy. She was the perfect hostess for family and friends, and tried to never miss a good party, even leaving the hospital for the Charleston Yacht Club Christmas Party. She loved games and won most of them. Friends of Sara were numerous and many of them were life long, going back to elementary school. She loved them all.Sara studied the Bible and taught Disciple and other Bible Studies at Bethel Church. She also engaged in a wide range of social and civic activities, and typically served them in a leadership capacity. She was a founding member of the United Daughters' of the Confederacy: Benjamin Jenkins Johnson Chapter, and a 50 year member of the SC Daughters of the American Revolution: Rebecca Motte Chapter. A lifetime gardener, Sara was active with both the Charleston Garden Club and the South Windermere Garden Club. She served as past President of the Women's Auxiliary of the Charleston Lion's Club. She participated in a longstanding Bridge Club and Supper Club. She and Johnny were active boaters and many of her fondest times were spent with the Charleston Yacht Club and its Auxiliary. Sara laughingly enjoyed being Commodore of the Cruising Club of Charleston, where she had her own burgee to fly when she and Johnny went boating.She is survived by her husband, John McAlister, Jr., her son, Benjamin H. McAlister and his wife, Shanon Marcus McAlister; her mother, Louise Harris Thompson; her sister, Nicki Harris Williams; her grandsons: Scott McAlister and Ryan McAlister as well as several nieces and nephews. Sara was predeceased by her son, John Scott McAlister; her father, John N. Harris and a granddaughter, Melinda Carter.Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice.