Stephanie M. McAllister

Stephanie Marie McAllister (Gaunichaux) was born on July 8, 1962 in New Orleans, Louisiana. She was the fourth child born to Ella Mae (King) and Wallace Gaunichaux Sr. After Wallace Sr. passed Ella married Junious Joseph Sr. and moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan in the 1960s.

Stephanie had an active, happy childhood and was raised in a Christ-centered home filled with joy and love. She felt a call to serve her country early in her life and joined the U.S. Army as an Intelligence Analyst immediately after she finished high school. Stephanie was an outstanding soldier and she served with honor and distinction. She had assignments in Germany, Korea, Georgia, South and North Carolina and Washington, DC. Throughout her 20+ years of service she received numerous accolades, awards and decorations. She retired from the Army as a Master Sergeant (E8).

Stephanie continued to serve her nation and joined the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) in 2001. At DIA she was a Multi-Intelligence Collection Requirements Manager in the Asia Pacific Regional Center at DIA headquarters in Washington, D.C., and an active employee at the time of her passing.

Stephanie was a leader and a passionate and dedicated intelligence professional. She was always sought out by her subordinates, peers and supervisors for her expertise as she was recognized as one of the most knowledgeable and proficient Collection Requirements Managers in the agency.

As a result of her 38 years of combined service and personal interests, Stephanie travelled extensively throughout the U.S. and visited numerous Latin American, European, Middle Eastern and Asian countries. She loved meeting, interacting and sharing with people. She had many interests and hobbies but her greatest passions were her love for and service to, her Savior, Jesus Christ and her biological and church families.

Stephanie was bold, selfless and lived a Christ-centered life. She loved the Lord with all her might -- mind, body and spirit. She always spoke of God’s goodness, grace and mercy and took advantage of every opportunity to share the good news of Christ Jesus. She was sold out for Christ and wanted everyone to come to know and accept Him as Savior. She loved her families, friends and enemies. She lived her life to glorify the name of Jesus and she was fierce, faithful and fully committed to Christ. You only had to spend a moment with Stephanie to know how truly and deeply she loved! Her greatest legacy is how her testimony, unwavering faith and witness led others to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Stephanie leaves to cherish her memory:  her husband – Raymond C. McAllister, and sons – Ray II, James Stanley and Jonathan (LaNita); and grandson, Ashton. Siblings, Jennifer Cummings (Jeffrey), Wallace Gaunichaux Jr. (Carla), Albert Gaunichaux, Ivry Winbush, Antoinette Joseph and Junious Joseph II.

Nephews and Nieces: Wallace III, Shomari (Christina), Tylor (Angela), Justin (Danielle), Antonio (Leah), Dimitri, Kasseem, Marjon, Ronald (Kate), Jameshia (Anakin), Jaden, Frederick, Francois, Joshua, Delysia and a host of other relatives, friends, co-workers and colleagues who loved her, cherished her and will miss her.