Cornelia Dickerson McAlister

Cornelia Stevenson Dickerson McAlister died on May 9, 2017, surrounded with love by her family and friends. Born in Rutherfordton, NC on May 12, 1930, Cornelia was the daughter of Lou Hairston and Mark Overton Dickerson. She was baptized, confirmed, and married in St. Francis Episcopal Church in Rutherfordton where her mother played the organ on Sunday mornings and family continues to worship today. Cornelia graduated from St. Catherine’s School in Richmond, VA. and went on to attend Agnes Scott College for two years before marrying Robert Vaughn McAlister of Greensboro, on December 16, 1950. In 1952 Cornelia and Vaughn moved from Greensboro to Charlotte where they raised their children, enjoyed their many wonderful friends and loved life! She and Vaughn loved to travel as well as sharing their home in Linville with family and friends. Vaughn died February 15, 1996.

Cornelia was also predeceased by both parents, her sister Ruth Dickerson Bell, and her son Robert Vaughn McAlister, Jr. She is survived by her son Vaughn’s daughter Heather, daughter Lou and her husband Chris East, their children Daniel and wife Lucinda and Tevyn (Kelly) and husband Jay; son John and his wife Kelli, their daughters Lacy and Annie; son Mark and his wife Elizabeth, their children Rob and wife Katherine, Mary Kate, and Mark. Also surviving is her brother Dr. Mark O. Dickerson and wife Barbara of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, special cousins and much loved nieces and nephews from both the McAlister and Dickerson families. Cornelia loved her heritage and enjoyed tracing the history of her family of origin as well as Vaughn’s. Rest assured that if you are related to her, Cornelia would have known exactly how and would have celebrated the kinship!

Cornelia was a long time member of Covenant Presbyterian Church and was proud of her children and grandchildren’s involvement there. An ardent supporter of Alexander Children’s Center, she also was involved with the Mint Museum where she was a docent and a member of the Auxiliary, as well as the Historic Latta Plantation where she volunteered as a tour guide. Cornelia also served in the community as a member of the Junior League and the Charlotte Assembly. She was a homemaker in the very best sense of the word; creating a welcoming space to nurture and sustain the people she loved. She loved gardening and the outdoors and was always quick to call her children to share the night sky and full moon with them.

Her family is grateful for the care and support of the staff at Southminster as well as the tender care of the hospice staff at the Harris Hospice of Presbyterian Hospital.

A Memorial Service will be held at Covenant Presbyterian on Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at 11:00 am. The family will receive friends at the church, following the service. Interment will be at Green Hill Cemetery in Greensboro where husband Vaughn and son Vaughn are buried.

Memorials may be made to Alexander Youth Network, 6220 Thermal Road, Charlotte, NC 28211 or a Hospice of your choice.