McALISTER, Orpha Parent - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Mellott -- Mrs. Orpha McAlister, 81, retired telephone operator, died 1:30 a.m. Friday in Culver Hospital, Crawfordsville. Mrs. McAlister had been in poor health for the last few years and was admitted to the hospital two weeks ago. For more than 47 years, she was the telephone operator for Mellott community. She retired June 22, 1957 when the exchange became part of the Indiana Bell system. She was a member of the Mellott United Church of Christ and Newtown Chapter 282, Order of Eastern Star. Mrs. McAlister was born on Jan 11, 1887 a mile west of Mellott in the Stevens Station community. She was the daughter of Austin and Mollie Shultz Parent. The deceased was married to Lloyd McAlister March 6, 1920 in Mellott. Her husband died May 23, 1953. Surviving are a sister, Mrs. Fred Lindley of Cates; a nephew, Bernard Lindley also of Cates and two nieces, Mrs. Ralph Cole of Newtown and Mrs. Reba McKeighan of Chicago, Ill. Another niece, Wreatha Lindley whom Mrs. McAlister had reared from thea ge of six, preceded her in death Jan 28, 1958. Services will be 11 a.m. Monday in Mellott United Church of Christ with pastor Rev. Richard Austin in charge. Friends may call at Crumley-Williams Funeral Home in Hillsboro after 2 p.m Sunday. Burial in Waynetown Masonic. - kbz

We are left so alone when a loved on leaves us, never again to hear her voice or experience the echo of joy that resounds from her heart. But our memory is enriched and we are bequeathed a new responsibility - we must carry in better heart. Orpha McAllister was a friend to everyone in need of consolation, sympathy and friendship. Everyone was always welcome in her home. Many years of her life were devoted to the service of mankind while she was seated at the switchboard in her home. There never was a favor asked of her she did not respond to graciously, for she loved doing things for other people. She learned early in life that serving others was a measure of greatness and that what one does for others is a measure of happiness to themselves here for others so deep and sincere, not through the gates of vanity and pleasure, but by the stony path of labor and self sacrifice. Orpha was held in the highest esteem by people in all walks of life. She never forced herself upon anyone but she drew people to her by her inherent qualities that she possessed by her loving vital personality. We ar enot speaking of a highly educated scholar, nor a great musician, not an artist. Orpha was great, but her greatness consisted of the qualifications we would all like to have. Her death reflected the universal sentime of the great poet who wrote this: Sunset and evening star And one clear call for me, And may there be no mourning at the bar When I put out to sea For there from out our mourning of time and place The fleed may bear me far I hope to see my pilot face to face When I have crossed the bar