Helen C. McAlister, 98, died April 4, 2026.

Helen was born near Lacey in Drew Co. AR on October 6, 1927, to Kirby and Lucille (Spencer) Forester, raised in Fountain Hill, and graduated from Pine Bluff High School in 1945.

She was married for 58 years to Louis F. McAlister, and his job with Southwestern Bell took them from Pine Bluff to Blytheville, Jonesboro, North Little Rock, St. Louis, West Memphis, and finally Little Rock where they were active members of Second Presbyterian Church as well as the Telephone Pioneers and the Clan McAlister of America. After Helen worked for years as teller at Regions she retired and became a prolific painter of watercolors. After her husband's death, she eventually relocated to Hot Springs where she spent many happy years with her partner Bill Foster and could be regularly seen in their box at Oaklawn during racing season. Upon Bill's death, she moved for the last time to the Gardens at Arkanshire in Springdale to be closer to family in northwest AR.

She was preceded in death by her brother Bobby Forester, and her sisters Mary Culpepper and Joann Turley. She is survived by her three children, Cathy Simpson, Lou McAlister (Kathy) and Mike (Susan), nine grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Her ashes will be placed in the prayer garden at Second Presbyterian Church in Little Rock, AR. A memorial service will be held in the Chapel there on Monday, May 11, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.