Leatha Rister

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Leatha Elizabeth Rister, 83, of Southaven, Miss., formerly of Sikeston, died Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2003, at Baptist DeSoto Hospital in Southaven.

She was born Sept. 4, 1920, in Cape Girardeau County, daughter of Grover and Esther Snider Hitt. She and Ebert Rister were married Aug. 28, 1940, at Benton, Mo. He died July 22, 1995.

Rister was a member of First United Methodist Church in Sikeston and its United Methodist Women.

Survivors include a son, Gerald "Jerry" Rister of Olive Branch, Miss.; a daughter, Joan McCrory of Round Lake, Ill.; two brothers, Roby Hitt of Cape Girardeau, Paul Hitt of Sikeston; two sisters, Marie Stalon of Cape Girardeau, Myrtle Reed of Wood River, Ill.; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by five brothers.

Friends may call at Nunnelee Funeral Chapel from 5 to 8 p.m. today.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the chapel, with the Rev. Bill Koch officiating. Burial will be in Oakdale Cemetery near Commerce, Mo.