Letha Mae Wheeler McAlister, 79, cherished wife, mother, grandmother, great- grandmother ("Gigi"), and friend, passed away at her home in Jacksonville, Florida on Monday, September 27, 2021, surrounded by her loving family. A native of Graves County, Ky, she was preceded in death by her parents, Aubrey and Lona (Wilkerson) Wheeler, her beloved husband of 26 years-James Oliver McAlister, and her siblings R J, Charles, Ricky, Tina Belle, and Willie.
Letha is survived by her "sister" and buddy Norma Jean Holmes and her brother, Jerry Wheeler, her four children; Lisa (Eric) Detmers, Laura Brown, James (Diana) McAlister Jr., Lena (George) Diaz, her 11 grandchildren: Christina (Ed) McDonald, Joseph (Aubree) Gossett, Crystal LeClair, Elaina (Dillon) Weekley, Cory Brown, Sean Diaz, Angela McAlister, Danielle Brown, Jennifer Diaz, Joshua McAlister, Jordan McAlister, and 6 great grandchildren: Connor LeClair, Porter McDonald, Paxton McDonald, Pierce McDonald, Emily LeClair, Nathan McAlister and numerous nieces, nephews and other much loved relatives and friends including her best friend Margina Widener.

Letha graduated high school from Cuba, Ky, then moved to California with her new husband. She attended several universities and enjoyed a variety of occupations as she followed her husband's Naval career. Letha was a real estate salesman, a postal carrier, a store manager, a professional tax preparer and then retired as a taxpayer advocate manager with the U.S. Treasury Department. After retiring, Letha devoted her life to helping others by volunteering at Community Hospice of N.E. Florida as well as creating and participating in several ministries through her church, Fort Caroline Baptist, including Angel Arms Ministries (making baby blankets, chemotherapy hats, & other items) and Grief Share. Letha especially enjoyed visitation and spending time with others who were alone or in need. Letha enjoyed gardening, sewing, crocheting, painting, watching and feeding humming birds, was a wonderful cook, and loved hosting family gatherings. She particularly loved Mother's Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas surrounded by family.
Letha accepted Christ as her Savior at the age of 9 and anticipated her transition from this life to her eternal home in heaven to be reunited with her husband, James, and other loved ones who have passed before her. Letha will be interred beside her husband at Camp Beauregard Cemetery in Water Valley, Ky. Per Letha's request, there will not be a viewing or a funeral. Instead, her family will celebrate her life at a private graveside service at a date to be determined. Her family offers a sincere thank you to Community Hospice and Palliative Care of Jacksonville, Florida.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Arlington Park Funeral Home.