Reverend Dr. Donald Eaddy McAllister, Sr.

It is with heartfelt sorrow that the management and staff of Mitchell-Josey Funeral Home, Inc. announces the passing of Reverend Dr. Donald E. McAllister, Sr. of Camden, SC, formally of Darlington, SC. Reverend McAllister heard the Master's call and slipped away Monday night, June 3, 2019 in Michigan. 

Reverend McAllister was the husband of Rosa McNeill McAllister and a clergy within the United Methodist Church. 

Wake service will be from 5 to 8 pm on Tuesday, June 11, 2019 at Saint James United Methodist Church, 312 Pearl Street, Darlington. 

The Service of Life, Death, and Resurrection will be 1 pm on Wednesday, June 12, 2019 at Trinity United Methodist Church, 126 Pearl Street, Darlington, Bishop Jonathan Holston, Episcopal Leader of the SC UMC. Reverend Dr. Robin Dease, Superintendent Hartsville District UMC. Reverend Darren McClam, Eulogist and the.Pastor of Shiloh United Methodist Church, Darlington.   Burial will follow in Odom Cemetery. 

                                                               "Life's Reflection's"

Born to the late Reverend Joseph McAllister, Sr. and the late Mrs. Gladys Marks McAllister on March 10, 1960, this precious baby boy, Donald, was God’s special gift to the McAllister Family and like the family he was born into, he had a special and particular faith and anointing.  Bold and fearless, with an unwavering faith and commitment to spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ through his dynamic preaching, teaching and singing, he made the entire world his parish.  This humble servant of God, on June 3, 2019, while visiting his son in Novi, Michigan, surrounded by the love of his wife, daughter, son and grandchildren, met death as it made its final blow to his physical body with a blood clot to his lungs that stole away his breath. In victory, he “gave up the ghost,” as he often preached, and became absent with the body and present with Our Lord and transitioned to his Heavenly Tabernacle beyond the sky! The heavens must have rejoiced as another angel received his wings!

Donald always had a joyous spirit and at a very early age, showed great leadership abilities as he often spun the basketball to lead his older brothers’ basketball team, the Mayo High School Golden Bears, out on the court.  He matriculated in the Darlington County Public Schools where he was an athlete, a member of the chorus, and yearbook staff. He graduated from Mayo High in 1978 with a group of classmates and friends that were dear to heart and attended Claflin University in Orangeburg SC, where he soon realized his call to ministry and volunteered at a United Methodist Church miles away.  He completed an Associate of Arts at University of South Carolina, also attended Erskin Theological Seminary the Conference Course of Study – Basic and Advanced Courses, at Duke University Divinity School. He received a Bachelor of Christian Counseling Degree and an honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree from the Carolina Theological Bible Institute. He served on the Disaster and response Committee and the District Superintendent Committee for Marion, Florence and Hartsville Districts.  He also served on Santee-Lynches Regional Council of Governments and Hands on Health SC. A great evangelist, Rev. Donald McAllister has preached revivals in various states – VA, NY, PA, GA, as well as SC and NC, and in churches of every denomination as he brought thousands to Christ.

Donald was always the “Little Man,” and always had a deep compassion for people and a boundless abiding love for The Lord and his family.  His mother, Mrs. Gladys, stated that she knew he would become a preacher because “he stomped more” than any of her children in the womb.  Donald committed his life to Christ as a youth at Shiloh UMC in Fork, SC where his father was the pastor. Donald loved the United Methodist Church and remained faithful until his death, keeping his membership and charge conference at St. James UMC in Darlington.  His pastorate spanned almost 40 years as he served with dedication the SC Annual Conference at Smyrna, Ephesus, Mount Prospect UMCs in Lugoff; Galilee, Spears, Hopewell UMCs in Bennettsville; Beulah and Shiloh UMCs in Mullins; Andrews Chapel and St. Phillips UMCs in Marion County; Wesley UMC in Beaufort; Faith UMC in Kingstree; St. James, Heaven’s Gate and Browns Chapel UMCs in Myrtle Beach; Shiloh, Mount Joshua, Mount Prospect in Lugoff; and Oro UMC in Pageland.

No life is ever complete without endearing family and friends that have enriched our lives along the way and such is the case with Rev. Donald McAllister.  He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and brother and had a genuine love for all of humanity. He was preceded in death by five adult brothers - Rev. Joseph Jr.,  Rev. John, Charles, Howard and James McAllister; and two infant brothers– Francis and Franklin. He leaves to mourn his beautiful life, a loving and faithful wife of 39 years, Rosa McNeill McAllister, whom he adored from the moment when he saw her from the window of his German class at Mayo High; two beautiful children of a blessed union - a devoted daughter, Tanisha McAllister, and a beloved son, Donald McAllister, Jr. ; four precious grandchildren –Tanaya, Dai’auyna, Ky’ree, and Da’siah, who were the joys of his heart; one great-grandchild - Karri Tucker who inherited his smile; nine siblings whom he loved greatly – his brothers, Bishop Julius (Joan) McAllister, Sr. of the Eighth District AMEC, Rev. Melvin (Andrea) McAllister, Kenneth (Regina) McAllister; his sisters – Rev. Ruth Sellers (Bishop Thomas) Ward, Mildred (Rev. Frank) Cook, Attorney Peggy McAllister, Barbara (Frank) Thomas, Rev. Dr. Angela Shaw, Karen (André) Mickens; three brothers-in-laws; six sisters-in-law; a god-daughter, Cierra McFarland; and a host of amazing nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.

He is sorely missed and we shall never forget his beautiful smile and compassionate spirit, always able to rise above and never complain, always praising God.  However, God chose to free His son and take him to a place of pure shalom.  He is at peace now as He rests in the bosom of His Savior and God!

Please keep this family in your thoughts and prayers. 

Visitation for relatives and friends of Reverend Dr. Donald McAllister will be at the residence of his sister-in-law, Danita Williams of 2304 Cashua Ferry Road, Darlington.  

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