Luther Virgil McAlister, 98, of Fayetteville, Tennessee, passed away  June 30, 2009.

He was born March 2, 1911, the son of Roy and Donia Monks McAlister.   He was a life-long resident of Lincoln County, having farmed and worked at the Blue Ridge Shirt Plant in Fayetteville for several years.  He and his brother, Leamon, owned the McAlister Brothers Coop Factory in Skinem and he owned and operated the first school bus system in Fayetteville.   He was a member of the Wells Hill Church of Christ and served as one of its elders for 55 years.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie Stephens McAlister who died in 1987, and is survived by a daughter, Rebecca McAlister Aulvin of Franklin, Tennessee; a son, William Donald McAlister (Vickie) of Old Hickory, Tennessee; and grandchildren, Lesa McAlister Hodge (Bill) of Nashville, Beth McAlister Smith (Richard) of Murfreesboro, Valerie Aulvin Riedling (David) of  Plano, Texas, Michael McAlister (Melissa) of Fayetteville, Brooke Aulvin Austin (Steve) of Brentwood, and Natalie Aulvin of Nashville.  Another son, Rogers Murray McAlister of Fayetteville, preceded him in death.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Tipps McAlister, and survived by step-daughters, Sandra Tipps Shivers (Don) of Goodlettsville, Brenda Tipps Terry (Jim) of Tullahoma; step-sons, Al Tipps (Lisa) of Winchester, and Winston Tipps (Leeann) of Estill Springs, and step-grandchildren,  Shannon Farough (Eddy) of Nashville, Stacey Anderson (Shane) of Gallatin, Craig Terry of Chicago, Carey Terry (Julie) of Jefferson City, MO, Jeni Hardy (Jim) of Cleveland, TN, Ricky Tipps of Orlando, FL, Brian Tipps (Jamie) of Nashville, Robert Tipps (Courtney) of Winchester, and Landon Tipps of Estill Springs.

Visitation will be Thursday, July 2, 11:00 to 2:00 at the Wells Hill Church of Christ in Skinem, followed by the funeral at 2:00 at the church, and burial in Riverview Cemetery in Fayetteville.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rutherford County Habitat for Humanity, PO Box 8038, 850 Mercury Boulevard, Murfreesboro, TN 37133-8038.