Funeral services for Amelia "Nell" McAlister, 85  are set for 3pm on Friday, August 21, 2026 at Magnolia Funeral Home - East. Visitation will be Friday, August 21, 2026 from 1pm-3pm at Magnolia Funeral Home - East. Interment will be in Palestine Cemetery in Paden, MS on Monday August 24, 2026.  Elder Alton Asher and Pastor Andy Selassa will officiate the service. Nell passed away on August 17, 2026 at Harbert Hills Nursing Home in Savannah, Tennessee. Her passing came 5 years to the day after the death of her sister, Mary. 

Known affectionately as Miss Nell, she was born June 14, 1941 in Iuka, MS the late James Jackson "Jack" and Pearl Amelia Glover Robinson. She devoted much of her life to education, serving as a teacher in the Tishomingo County School System as well as at the Seventh-day Adventist church school in Corinth. Nell enjoyed listening to gospel music and watching 3ABN. She use to make her own clothes. Teaching and art were her passion. Her relationship with God, friends, family and church is what made life meaningful to her. In her final years, Nell chose to move to a nursing home where she could be cared for by her church family, Ulysses Aguilar and his sister, Jasmin. The kindness, devotion and care they showed to Miss Nell reflected the lasting love and appreciation of so many of her former students. 

Nell is survived by her nephew, Gordon Robinson and Brian Belue (Brandy) and her nieces, Ramona Peterson, Mendy Vanderford (Ken) and Glenda Belue. Although she did not have children of her own, she leaves behind many former students whose lives she touched through her care, guidance and kindness. She is preceded in death by her husband, Harold Clayton McAlister, her parents, Jack and Pearl Robinson; her sister, Mary Annis Belue; her brother, Jackie Robinson and her nephew, James Scotty Belue. 

Magnolia Funeral Home has been honored to serve the family of Miss Amelia "Nell" McAlister.