Jessie Maude Rister

Jessie Rister, 92, left this world on Tuesday, December 7, 2021. She is celebrating in Heaven alongside her Savior Jesus, her beloved husband Dewey and other relatives who have gone before her. Jessie was a wonderful woman that was loved, will be missed, and will always be cherished. Mammaw or Memaw, as she liked to be called by her grandchildren, was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, and as she proclaimed her job on earth to be an “outstanding homemaker”.

Jessie Maude Buntin’s life story began on October 15, 1929, she was one of four children born to Roy Lee Buntin, Sr., and Thelma (Kirby) Buntin in Jones County, Texas. Jessie was a 1947 graduate of Stamford High School. Jessie met the love of her life Mr. Dewey Rister whom she married on May 8, 1948, in Anson, TX. The union of Dewey and Jesse was blessed with three children: Larry, Sharon, and Joel. Dewey and Jessie were married for almost 61 years when he preceded her in death on May 25, 2009.

Jessie was a member and active in the Stamford Garden Club for several years. She loved beautiful flowers, especially peonies and tropical blooms. As a member of the Avoca Baptist Church Jessie taught Sunday school and worked in various other capacities for 70 plus years. Jessie loved to entertain family and friends and share her culinary skills.  She devoted her life to taking care of her family. Jessie would remind her children that she pulled bolls in the cotton field as a child. Jessie and Dewey also had an extended family in the foreign exchange students they hosted over the years.

Jessie was preceded in death by her husband, parents, infant sister Naomi, and grandsons Eddie Neatherlin and Brian Rister.

Those rejoicing her life are son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Markay Rister of Eastland, TX; daughter and son-in-law, Sharon and Earl Neatherlin of Avoca, TX; son Joel Rister of Avoca, TX; son and daughter-in-law Pete and Michelle Barten of Houston, TX; brother and sister-in-law, Roy Lee Buntin, Jr., and Rosie Buntin of Cedar Park, TX; sister, Dena Bingham of Aspermont, TX; grandchildren, Daniel Rister, Jennifer Modeer, Matthew Neatherlin, Thomas Paul, Sander Van Der Gulik, Pedro Montoya, Grant Tait, Axel Koch, Luis Malo Peniche and Gergo Dankovics; great grandchildren, Madelyn Modeer, Brian Neatherlin, Dennis Neatherlin, Allison McLean, Tyler Neatherlin, Taylor Neatherlin, M’Kenzie Neatherlin; great-great grandchildren, Julia Neatherlin, Addison Neatherlin, Ansley Neatherlin, Asher Neatherlin, and Corbyn Neatherlin; and other relatives and friends.

Jessie’s family will gather to greet family and friends during Visitation on Friday, December 17, 2021, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Tankersley Funeral Home (807 Columbia) Stamford, TX. Jessie’s life will be celebrated on Saturday, December 18, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. at the Avoca Baptist Church in Avoca, TX with Rev. Kelly Russell officiating assisted by Rev. Les Mims. Burial will follow in the Spring Creek Cemetery at Avoca under the direction of Tankersley Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made in Jessie’s memory to the Avoca Baptist Church – 8727 CR 605 – Avoca, TX 79503.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.tankersleyfuneralhome.com .