Bonnie Mae

Rister

Graveside services for Bonnie Mae (Criswell) Rister, 85, of Sweetwater will be held at Hamlin Memorial Cemetery in Hamlin, Texas, 1:00 P.M. Friday, September 16, 2022, with the Pastor Jerry Hendrix officiating, under the direction of McCoy Funeral Home in Sweetwater.

Bonnie left this earth on Wednesday, September 14, 2022, and undoubtedly she was welcomed with open arms by her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, as well as her cowboy of 55 years, Bob. Bonnie was born May 12, 1937 in Hamlin, Texas. She graduated from Hamlin High School, and soon thereafter met the love of her life, Bob Rister of Roby. They were married September 18, 1959, in Cisco, Texas, immediately starting their family. Bonnie was a homemaker while her children were young, in addition to being an in-home child care provider for lots of lucky children.  Eventually, she began working at a children's clothing store, The Cat's Meow, where she met and made numerous friends throughout the community.

Bonnie was a wonderful Christian woman, dedicated wife and a loving mother, but her "calling" in life came when she had grandkids and great-grandkids.  "Memaw," as she was known to her grandkids and great-grandkids, was a textbook grandmother, and they all loved to go to her house to make playdough, shop at the Dollar Store and eat sweet treats with her, most always made from scratch. Memaw loved the Lord, her family, babies, singing, traveling and the holidays. She and Bob traveled many places after retirement, including multiple trips to Branson, her favorite place to go. Throughout the year she would save her quarters in a jar on her dresser for extra spending money for their trips. Christmas was always extra magical at Memaw's house, as that was the holiday that everyone was there, with most all family members requesting her homemade chicken and dumplings and cherry banana pie.

As a faithful and longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Sweetwater, Bonnie served any place she could, which included numerous years as a children's Sunday school teacher. She and Bob also taught a preschool class together, and she lovingly (most of the time) referred to Bob as one of the kids. Now adults, many of the kids they taught still have lasting memories of being in their class.

Survivors include daughters Judy Poe and husband Virgel, Cindy Saunders, Lisa Walling and husband Chris and son Bobby Rister.  She also leaves behind six grandkids and ten great-grandkids:  Mark Poe and wife Amanda, Cristi Messick and husband Keith, Bailey Leeton and husband Drew, Gus Saunders and wife Jennifer, Briley & Blake Walling, Colton, Jacy, & Brayden Messick, Mallory, Aubrey, Jackson & Hollis Poe, Hagen & Hylan Leeton, and Levi Saunders. She also has one sister, Kathy Oden, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Bob Rister, her parents, Louie Leon Criswell and Thelma Louise Criswell Houghton, and two brothers, Louis Leon (Sonny) Criswell and Larry Don Criswell.

On this earth, family was absolutely everything to Bonnie, and though she will be missed, we know she is rejoicing in Heaven.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Sweetwater, P.O. Box 1258, Sweetwater, 79556, in memory of Bonnie Rister.