A graveside service for Lillian (Thomson) Rister, 92, will be held on Friday, May 6th at 10:00 a.m. at Resthaven Funeral Home. Lil went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Sunday, May 1, 2022 in Waco. She and her husband of 57 years, Jack Rister, who preceded her in death in 2009, had lived in Lubbock for over 45 years until their move to Waco in 2006.
Lil was born on July 8, 1929 in Longhorn Valley, near Rotan, Texas to Robert Grundy Thomson and Lucy Alberta Clegg Thomson, who preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by her eight siblings; Mary Boydston, Delia Hardin, Dorothy Head, R.L. Thomson, Thelma Burk, Elene Goodrum, Melvin Thomson and Perry Thomson.
Lil was a home maker for many years, but also worked as a preschool teacher, then later worked at the Central office of Lubbock Independent School District as a secretary. Lil was a Charter member of Oakwood Baptist Church in Lubbock where she served for many years as a Sunday School teacher. She also served on the bereavement committee. After she and Jack moved to Waco, they were faithful members of Columbus Avenue Baptist Church and also became involved at the Harrison Senior Citizen’s center. She enjoyed volunteering there with Meals on Wheels and helping at the center any way she could. Lil loved to bake and regularly shared her baked breads and goodies with friends and neighbors.
She is survived by her 3 children: daughter Deborah Roye (Bobby) of Bixby, OK; daughter Karen Irons (David) of McKinney, TX; son Dr. J. Mark Rister (Sheri) of Waco, TX.; 7 grandchildren: Rachel Irons Sever (Aaron) of Austin, TX; Romi Irons Farrell (Marty) of Celina, TX; Ross Irons (Gabriel dela Cruz) of Austin, TX; Brandon Roye of Tulsa, OK; Justin Roye (Jessica) of Tulsa, OK; Leslie Rister Kvasnicka (Justin) of Austin, TX; Dr. Ryan Rister of Augusta, GA; and 10 greatgrandchildren: Mallory Sever, Anderson Sever, Martin Farrell, Jack Farrell, Jaben Roye, Josiah Roye, Jada Roye, Logan Kvasnicka, Reese Kvasnicka and Colt Kvasnicka. Lil also leaves behind numerous in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews and a host of friends.
There will be a visitation time with the family at Resthaven Funeral Home on Thursday, May 5th from 5-7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make contributions in memory of Lil to: Columbus Avenue Baptist Church, 1300 Columbus Ave, Waco, TX 76701; or to Harrison Senior Center, 1718 N. 42nd St, Waco, TX 76710; or to a charity of your choice.
A Celebration of Life for Lil Rister will be held at Columbus Avenue Baptist Church in Waco, TX at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 21, 2022. The family would welcome you at either service.
