Elizabeth Ann (Goyne) McAllister

Elizabeth McAllister, 85, of Bryant, Arkansas, passed away on August 22, 2026. She was a member of the Church at Rock Creek in Little Rock.

Liz was preceded in death by her parents Orval and Elva Goyne of Malvern and her brother Quentin Goyne of Huntsville. She is survived by her husband of 63 years Sam McAllister; son Rick McAllister of Little Rock; daughter Danya McAllister Lipe (Derek) of Benton; granddaughters Morgan Lipe and Lucille Lipe; great-granddaughter Paisley Spann; sister-in-law Jerri Goyne; and her faithful, loving granddog Carter James, along with ten mischievous grandcats.

Liz was born April 13, 1941, in Princeton, Arkansas. She graduated from Malvern High School and then attended Ouachita Baptist University, graduating in 1962. She and Sam were married that December and began their life together in Pulaski County. Liz joined the faculty at Bryant High School in 1963, beginning a career in the classroom where she influenced thousands of students in her 35 years of dedicated service.

Known affectionately by her students as “Miss Mac,” Liz helped transform the teaching of special education by concentrating on high-interest, hands-on skills that motivated students to participate in various activities such as pottery, photography, woodworking, horticulture and stained glass. That first year, she and her students planted the three large magnolia trees that still stand at BHS. Several of her students’ stained-glass works of art were displayed in the school for decades, and Miss Mac always proudly pointed them out as reminders of what her students were capable of creating.

While teaching French, she took dozens of Bryant students on their first international trip, introducing them to French landmarks such as Notre-Dame, the Eiffel Tower, and Versailles, while teaching them how to pronounce Champs-Élysées. In the classroom, French students heard her enthusiastic “Très bien!” letting them know they had done a very good job, even when their Southern accents didn’t always result in the perfect French pronunciation. And after watching Batman in French class, many of her students could be heard shouting, “Je suis Batman!” all over campus. Miss Mac loved her students and they loved her.

When Liz retired from Bryant High in 1997, she created and organized a multi-generational group of friends and family she named “The Wednesday Night Gang.” The group met every Wednesday night at local restaurants to visit and relax with its matriarch. Liz was an easy-going friend whose patience and encouragement kept her fellow teachers and friends afloat, often with laughter. Although she emanated warmth and kindness, she also had a fierce side that surfaced when necessary to defend the right to teach and learn or to stand up for a friend. Students often said: “Don’t mess with Miss Mac.”

Liz spent her retirement days volunteering in the Food Bank at Rock Creek, decorating for weddings with her two best friends, and gardening in her backyard. She eased out of her “Miss Mac” phase into “GMaw” mode to her two granddaughters and her menagerie of pets. When her health began to fail, she continued to enjoy the beauty of nature in her own backyard from the wild birds she faithfully fed to the panoply of flowers and plants she had nurtured. Liz was a wise woman, understanding that the beauty of an indigo bunting transcends the everyday woes of the world. It was here, sitting on the deck with her beloved Carter in her lap, that her light momentarily dimmed. But that warm, wonderful light continues to glow in the lives of her family, her close friends, and her countless students who will never forget Miss Mac.

In keeping with Liz’s wishes, her family and friends will gather informally at a later time to celebrate her life, share stories, remember the good times, and, most importantly, laugh together. Liz never wanted anyone to be sad or crying over her passing. She would much rather have everyone remember the joy, laughter, love, and good times she brought into their lives.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Liz’s honor to the Church at Rock Creek Food Bank, 11500 West 36th Street, Little Rock, AR 72211.

Arrangements by Arkansas Cremation, 2 Innwood Circle, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72211. If you would like to leave a message of condolence to the family, you may do so using the Guestbook section.

www.arkansascremation.com