Jennifer Mcallister

This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalms 118:24).
Jennifer said this Bible verse every morning, including October 17th. She thought you were wasting time if you did not get up early and get to work. The thousands of mornings she went out in the backyard and fed and watered the birds, squirrels and plants, while drinking her freshly ground and brewed coffee from one of her mugs out of her extensive mug collection, and praising God for the new day, can never be replicated. Jennifer contracted cancer in September of this year and it spread faster than her doctors have ever seen. However, she said I am not afraid and did everything possible to get healed and come home. God did not choose that path but we know he owns us all and has reasons that we will understand someday when we step around to the front side of the tapestry. We want to thank the entire staff at St. Vincent's East for their work; their attitudes and personal care were outstanding. The staff on the 5th floor rules! She was born to John Samuel Bookout and Mae Ellen Thompson Bookout in Birmingham, Alabama. Jennifer loved her parents who the grandkids called Daddy John and Grandmae or MaeMae. She loved her middle name Lee since it was her much older brother's dog's name and he suggested that his new sister have that name also. It has passed on as the middle name to her daughter and grandson, making her very proud. Jennifer was a protector, provider, and lover of animals all her life. The cats and dogs she took in and raised are too many to mention except for the special Macadamia, Chubby, and Lady. Jennifer focused on doing things for other people instead of herself. She took an interest in YOU and made you feel special. Sending packages with things selected just for you was her specialty. The grandchildren were the center of her universe and she spent countless hours having fun with them. Blanton Lee Dietz, McAllister Lenn Dietz, Dani Kay McAllister, and Luci Tyler McAllister will really miss their Kini a lot. Jennifer was preceded in death by her great friend Joann Ramer. They are now re-united, possibly supervising things in Hawaii from above. There are just too many friends, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews to mention here. You know who you are and what you meant to her. Jennifer also was friends with the USMAIL, UPS, and FedEx delivery people we had, often opening a package as it was delivered and handing over a pack of coffee, candy, or cookies to them. Our UPS man, Macy has been coming here for over 25 years. She also always took care of our trash collectors with cold drinks, snacks, and gift cards. In addition to the grandkids, she is survived by her husband Bill (46 cool years), son Brian McAllister and wife Jen Bas, daughter Amanda Dietz and husband Stephen Dietz, and Jennifer Reha McAllister (Mom of Dani and Luci). Her special niece, Christy Kelley, also loves animals and suggested (along with the family) that in lieu of flowers, please send donations in memory of Jennifer McAllister to the Humane Society of West Alabama, P.O. Box 70054, Tuscaloosa, AL 35407 or via the website at www.humanesocietyofwa.org There will be visitation with the family on Tuesday, October 23rd at 9:00am CDT and a memorial service at 10:00 am CDT on that same day. The location of those services is Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home, 1591 Gadsden Highway, Birmingham, AL 35235 (across from Home Depot in Trussville), website www.jmgardens.com. Burial will be private