James Mark McAllister

James Mark McAllister, age 83, of Cabins went HOME to the Lord on Thursday, May 4.

He was the son of James Howard McAllister and Lena Mae Haught McAllister of Huntington, WV. He was married to Bonnie Reed on May 15, 1965.

Mark was preceded in death by both parents, his brother, Freddie McAllister, sister, Janis McAllister Adkins, daughter Debra Selman and granddaughter, Jamie Hall.

Mark is survived by his wife of 57 years, Bonnie McAllister, a daughter Janet Weiner of Alexandria, VA, grandson Adam Weiner (Samantha) of Washington, DC., daughter Sandy (Doug) Pyles of Romney, grandson Anthony (Sherry) Jordan of Augusta, WV, a daughter, Hazel Russell of Petersburg, WV, a granddaughter Courtney (Marcus) Bowling Crites of Petersburg, a grandson JD Barnet, a daughter Kathy Selman Conner of Pooler, GA, son in law Ricky Conner of Jacksonville, Florida, a grandson, Kyle (Reannah) Conner of Nashville, TN, a granddaughter, Rachel (Hunter) Norton of Guyton, GA and a daughter Karen Selman Cooper of Savannah, GA. He also was blessed with his great grandchildren, Akyra Barnett, Ezra and A’Miah Bowling and Haven Norton.

He was just plain “Mark” and never wanted to be called “Reverend”. He felt the call to preach at age 13 at the Highlawn Baptist Church in Huntington, with great influence from his Sunday School teacher, Mr. Fudge. He strayed away from the Lord during his college and Marine Corps years, but rededicated his life to the Lord, returning to college at Alderson Broaddus. His godly professors had a great influence on him also. He often took Dr. Smothers fishing and would invite him to preach revivals for him. He loved to fish and would say he prayed the Lord would take him while he was fishing or preaching.

Mark was a “Johnny Appleseed” of church starters. He was an area missionary for the Southern Baptist Convention for several years, but long before that he started and/or pastored many churches in Webster, Barbour, Braxton, Hampshire, Nicholas, Pendleton and Grant Counties, he also served in Worcester, MA, Randolph VT and North Springfield, VT. He was a member of the Living Hope Baptist Church in Petersburg.

He was quite a “people person” and loved people whether they were homeless or a CEO of a company. Mark also had a quick wit which made people laugh even during sermons or funerals. His main goal in life was to serve the Lord and share Him with others. Never wanting praise in this life, but always wanting to hear from the Lord, “Well done, thy good and faithful servant”.

Family will receive friends on Monday, May 8, 2023 at 5 – 7 P.M. at the Schaeffer Funeral Home in Petersburg, WV.  Funeral service will be Tuesday, May 9 at 11 A.M. in the chapel of the Schaeffer Funeral Home in Petersburg with Pastor Matt Smith officiating.  Internment will follow in the North Fork Memorial Cemetery in Riverton, WV.

Memorials may be made to the Living Hope Baptist Church, P.O. Box 146, Petersburg, WV 26847.

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