Mary Elizabeth Gibson Stevens Rister

Mary Elizabeth Gibson Stevens Rister, 95, of Flatwoods, KY, passed away on Tuesday, March 1, 2022, at Community Hospice Care Center in Ashland, KY. Mrs. Rister was born on September 20, 1926, in Huntington, WV to the late Grover F. and Jessie May Straight Gibson. In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her first husband, George Albert Stevens; her second husband, Melvin Westly Rister; a daughter, Linda Ruggles; a grandchild, Amy Ruggles; two brothers; and two sisters. Mary was a hairdresser at Tri-State Beauty Academy and The Doll House. She graduated from Raceland High School and went on to be a beauty school instructor. She loved cooking, canning, and crafts. She was of the Baptist faith. Mary is survived by her two children, a son, Clifford (Norma) Stevens of Flatwoods, KY and a daughter, Sharon (Robert) White of Flatwoods, KY; two stepsons, Melvin Rister Jr. of Lexington, KY and Donald (Sandy) Rister of Greenup, KY; six grandchildren: Brian (Kathy) Stevens, Becky (Trevor) Hallard, Lorie (Barry) Stevens, Mandy (Joey) Wise, Jennifer (Mike) Scott, and Rick (Sara) Gillian; five great-grandchildren; and a host of extended family and friends. A funeral service will be held at 11 A.M. on Friday, March 4, 2022, at Bailey Family Funeral Home in Flatwoods, KY with Pastor Rodney Vance officiating. Burial will follow at Bellefonte Memorial Gardens in Russell, KY. Visitation will be from 10 A.M. – 11 A.M. on Friday at the funeral home.   Condolences can be expressed at www.baileyfamilyfuneralhome.com.