Services for Jessie Marilyn Brister, of McComb, are 11 a.m.Saturday, July 15, at New Heights Baptist Church in Summit withburial in Reeves Cemetery. The Revs. Jimmy Magee, Howard Bristerand Ricky Kennedy will officiate. Hartman Funeral Home in McComb isin charge of arrangements.

Visitation is today from 5 until 9 p.m. at the funeral home andon Saturday at 10 a.m. at the church until the time of theservice.

Mrs. Brister, 71, died July 13, 2006, at Mississippi BaptistMedical Center in Jackson. She was born in New Orleans, La., onJan. 20, 1935, to Howard Brister Sr., and Jessie ReevesBrister.

She was a 1953 graduate of McComb High School and earned herBachelor of Science degree from Mississippi College and her Masterof Education degree from Southeastern Louisiana University. She didgraduate work at Louisiana State University and the University ofSouthern Mississippi. She pledged Delta Kappa Gamma at MississippiCollege.

She began teaching elementary school music in 1957 in McComb andin 1964, joined the staff at Southwest Mississippi CommunityCollege, where she was director of the voice and music department.She was a beloved teacher at Southwest for over 30 years before herretirement in 1994.

She was named the 1989-90 Outstanding Instructor of the Year bythe Mississippi Legislature. A wonderful pianist with a beautifulvoice, she continued to instruct and coach students on a part-timebasis for several years.

She was a lifetime member of East McComb Baptist Church, now NewHeights Baptist Church. She served as the church organist fordecades. She also taught Sunday school and was glad to fill in forother teachers whenever needed. She was a member of the ColonialDames, XVII. She was gracious, loved people and was much loved inreturn. She never met a stranger and loved to fellowship. With herwonderful personality, she lit up a room whenever she entered.

She loved to play bridge with her dear friends and enjoyedmaking quilts and baby blankets for her loved ones. She was was akind, gentle and giving person, the living embodiment of grace. Hersmile and words of encouragement were precious gifts that will liveon. She was a devoted wife and dedicated mother, who loved andcherished her children. She will be greatly missed.

Preceding her in death were her parents and her son, MichaelEric Brister.

Survivors are her husband of over 50 years, Melvin W. BristerJr., of McComb; her daughters, Carol Brister, of Savannah, Ga., andLauren Brister, of McComb; her brother, Howard Brister and wifeBetty, of McComb; her nieces, Cindy Bracey, Amy Whitten, SylviaMacBeth, Mary Belinda Duckworth; and her nephews, Glenn Brister andBilly Walker.

Pallbearers are Everett Price, Paul Harrell, SheltonWhittington, Glenn Brister, Billy Waller and Larry Bracey. Honorarypallbearers are Glen Shoemake, Oliver Young and Alvin Newell.

Memorials may be made to Community Hospice.