Lillian McAlpine

Lillian McAlpine was born on February 24, 1930, in Mobile, Alabama, to her parents, Andrew Toby McGadney and Daisy Baldwin McGadney.

She devoted her life to Christ at an early age and was a member of First Baptist Church, Prichard, Alabama, until the age of 18.

Our loving mother attended Yellow Pine School from first through third grade, Ella Grant School, and Mobile County Training School. After graduating from Mobile County Training School, she moved to Birmingham, Alabama, where she united in holymatrimony with our father, Jessie McAlpine. To their union, five children were born: Jessie McAlpine Jr., Nolan Wilfred McAlpine, Andera Michele McAlpine, Lionel Glenn McAlpine, and Adriene Felecia McAlpine. Her heart's desire was to become a registered nurse, but because of persistent acute headaches, doctors advised against college. Though initially heartbroken by the suggestion, she decided to press on and graduated from McCampbell's School of Cosmetology. She worked as a cosmetologist for a number of years before securing a job in housekeeping for the City of Birmingham. She retired at the age of 55.

Our parents bought a house in the West End Hills neighborhood in 1960. Our mother, known to be a powerful prayer warrior, moved her membership from Saint James Missionary Baptist Church to West End Hills Missionary Baptist Church. There, she taught Sunday school for more than 25 years and served as a member of the Progressive Matrons. Later in life, she attended Restoration Revival Tabernacle, where three of her five children were members, before joining First Baptist Church Harriman Park, where her oldest son, Jessie, serves as pastor. While attending Restoration Revival Tabernacle, she poured out her spiritual knowledge and wisdom during Sunday school and wasted no time becoming a Sunday school teacher once joining First Baptist Harriman Park. She taught there until the COVID-19 pandemic and was not physically able to return to the church once the ban was lifted. Steadfast in her love for the Lord, she read her Bible every day until her eyes grew too dim to read, but by then, she was in her ninety-fourth and final year.

Mother McAlpine was a multi-talented woman of God. In addition to her love of God and spreading the gospel through teaching Sunday school, she showed her love to people by gifting custom pieces that she had lovingly crocheted. She would gift house shoes to the sick, a beautiful blanket for a newborn, and an afghan or throw for a child or grandchild. She crocheted spreads, blankets, booties, infant sweaters and cap sets, shawls, collars, two-piece skirt sets, and hats. She took a 212-hour commercial sewing class at F.W. Olin Night School, which raised her sewing abilities to a new level as she often made her own casual clothing. At Lawson State Community College, she learned macramé and often made beautiful purses, plant holders, and hanging tables. Her family enjoyed homemade doughnuts, yeast rolls, tea cakes, cakes, pies, cobblers, puddings, and any and every kind of savory dish as she was also an excellent cook, specializing in Southern cuisine and national cooking styles alike. She possessed knowledge of herbs for healing common ailments, which she acquired from a dear friend and coworker. Needless to say, our doctor visits were few and far in between.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jessie McAlpine; parents, Andrew Toby McGadney and Daisy Baldwin McGadney; three sisters, Juanita Sessoms, Verna Pearl Harris, and Delores Anderson; two brothers, James McGadney and Raymond McGadney; one niece, Linda Burrell; and one great niece, DeShaun Harris.

Our mother leaves behind to cherish her memories five children, Pastor Jessie McAlpine, Jr. (Michelle), Minister Nolan Wilfred McAlpine (Arleatha), Andera Michele McAlpine (Willie), Lionel Glenn McAlpine and Adriene Felecia Alexander (Major); 17 grandchildren, Saunjeanetta Fertil (Cavin), James McAlpine (Tomeka), Nairobi McAlpine (Chelsea), Jessica Pinder (Rodney), Justin McAlpine (Jhoniel), Celecia McAlpine, Andrea Ingram (Christopher), Arlena Ashford (Johnny), Latosha Tripp (Toby), Pastor Jesse McAlpine (Jocelyn), Jasper McAlpine, Kindrea Sharper (Dwayne), Kwenita Anderson, Kwillette Anderson, Marcus Anderson (Chardae), Ashley Allen, and Steve Allen; one brother, Clifford McGadney (Merolyn); one brother-in-law, Willie James Harris; 31 great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.