Mary Beatrice (Cromartie) McAllister, 89, of Fairfield Township peacefully transitioned to be with our Lord on Tuesday March 3, 2021 at Inspira Hospital, Vineland. She was the wife of the late Arthur W. McAllister.

Beatrice was born on Oct. 22, 1931 in Lisbon, NC to the late Charles Grover and Milsia Ann (Troy) Cromartie. As the last surviving of 14 siblings, she was the matriarch of the Cromartie family. In her early years, she attended New Zion AME Zion Church in Lisbon, NC. She attended both elementary school and Booker T. Washington High School in Bladen County, NC.

She was introduced to Arthur McAllister by one of her 11 brothers. Bea and Art married on March 12, 1950. They shared five children and 59 years of marital bliss before Art was called home in 2009. Prior to moving to New Jersey, the family attended Pilgrim Hill Baptist Church in Clarkton, NC. In the early 1960's the family relocated to Bridgeton where they joined Union Baptist Temple. She was a faithful member and served on the Deaconess Board. She truly loved her church and church family. Although she had a very melodious voice and she loved to sing; she was too shy to sing in the choir. Some of her favorites, she would sing around the house was "I'm so glad Jesus Lifted Me", "Soul Couldn't Rest Contented Until I Found the Lord", "Precious Lord", and "He'll Be Somewhere Calling My Name". She loved her hats and proudly wore them to church each Sunday.

She was a good cook & loved cooking for others. Many people have enjoyed her good ole southern food over the years. She loved her family dearly and they were truly the center of her happiness. She was well respected and a special person to so many people.

When not being a housewife and caretaker, Beatrice was a seamstress employed several years by various local sewing factories before her retirement. She endured several health challenges but always knew God would never put more on her than she could bear.

She leaves to cherish her memory, daughters: Addie Wright (Laymon) of Vineland, Sandra McAllister of Bridgeton; grandchildren: Johnny, James Jr. (Iris), Thomas (Kim), Justin McAllister, Amanda Wright; 8 great grandchildren: Nathan, Brian, Jordan, Alizandria, Donovan, Kilan, Kamdyn, and Harmony, and 2 great-great grand: Khloe, and Josiah; 2 sisters-in-law: Queen Cromartie and Mattie McAllister, and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

In addition to parents and husband, Arthur; she is predeceased by children: James, Beverly, and Thomas Bradley; siblings Rowland (Pearlene), Milton (Lizzie), Henry Carrie), Charlie (Evelyn), William, John, Richard (Ernestine) Johnny, Kerry, Edwin, Winford Dupree (Flossie), Rosenia Maultsby (Quincy), and Roxie Cromartie.