Charlene Rae (Kriter) McAlister

Graveside service for Charlene Rae (Kriter) McAlister, 100, of Healdton, will be held 2:00 P.M., Thursday, January 9, 2025, at Blackwell Cemetery in Blackwell, OK. Services are under the direction and care of Alexander Gray Funeral Home.

Charlene was born May 11, 1924, at Tonkawa, OK, to the late Mr. Charles Kriter and Mrs. Wilma (Bidwell) Kriter. She departed this life Thursday, January 2, 2025, at Yukon, OK.

Charlene attended her early school years at Orlando, OK but later moved with her parents to a farm, Northwest of Blackwell, OK. She attended the Old Country School “Lane Tree” and later Blackwell High School, graduating with the class of 1942. Charlene furthered her education, graduating from Clark’s School of Cosmetology and worked many years as a cosmetologist. She married Mr. Archie McAlister on January 17, 1947, at Blackwell, OK and they were blessed with two daughters, Sue Ann “Tudi” and Marcy Jo. The family moved to Lindsay, OK in 1957, but eventually made their home at Healdton in 1962. Archie and Charlene were married over 51 years. She loved her husband, her home, her children, and all of their family. Charlene was “Nanny” to her grandchildren, and she worked hard at providing them a good life. She was proud of, lived by, and valued her farm and country heritage, always remembering the saying- “you can take the kid out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the kid.” Charlene loved to decorate, creative in her own way, she liked everything to be neat, straight, clean, and organized, although it didn’t always happen that way. She enjoyed cooking good food and especially loved taking cruises and other travels. Charlene enjoyed her time spent with family and friends, and felt she had “a really good life.” 

Preceding her in death are her parents, Charles and Wilma; husband, Archie; daughters, Sue Ann and Marcy Jo; brother, George Kriter; sister, Jean Kriter.

Survivors include her grandchildren, Jennifer Fizer Neal and husband Clay Neal, Jeff Fizer and wife Chasity Fizer, and Jamie Jo Wilson and spouse Devin Anderson; great grandchildren,  Clayton Fizer, Mayci Fizer, Maddie Neal, Cayden Anderson, Mollie Neal, Kinley Fizer, and Carter Stetson Anderson: numerous other family and friends.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 PM, Wednesday evening at Alexander Gray Funeral Home Chapel of Healdton with a commentary section beginning at 6 PM.

Condolences and memories may be shared online at www.alexandergrayfh.com