Edna “Loretta” Brister, 77, entered her eternal rest on Thursday, April 26, 2012, after a lengthy illness. She was born Sept. 2, 1934, in Lawrence County. She died in her home, surrounded by her loved ones.

     She will be remembered for her devotion to her family, her friends and her church. As a longtime and faithful member of Powells Grove Pentecostal Church, she met everyone with a warm smile, an embrace and often a kiss. She never had a negative word to speak of anyone, believing that she could not judge if she did not know what others were going through.

     Mrs. Brister worked hard to help support her family beginning in her childhood when she picked cotton with her sharecropping parents. As an adult, she worked for many years in the Monticello Garment Factory. When she retired from her position as a food service supervisor at Lawrence County Nursing Home due to illness, she continued to serve her family, church and community.

     She is preceded in death by her parents, Rufus and Ora Barnett; three sisters, Lexie Skaggs, Glendon Banister and Golda Barnett; and an infant son.

     She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Ervin Dean Brister; sisters, Alice Beeson and Betty Colyer; brother, Roy Barnett and wife Chloe; children, Debbie Moody and husband, Alan, and Don Brister and wife, Gwen; seven grandchildren, April Davis, Amber King, Anthony King, Adam Brister, Connie Brister, West Brister and Bradley Brister; six great-grandchildren, Emma Siler, Grayson Davis, Ethan King, Corbyn Pekins, Guydon Brister and Makayla Brister; and a host of honorary grandchildren, nieces and nephews and extended family.

     Visititation was Friday, April 27, from 5 until 9 p.m. at Powells Grove Pentecostal Church in Jayess. Funeral services were Saturday, April 28, at 2 p.m. at the church with burial in the church cemetery. Officiating the service were Pastor Ronnie Turner, Bro. Glynn Hilton, Bro. Ray Bowling, Bro. Gary Don Robinson and Bro. Larry Reid. Catchings Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

     Pallbearers were Chris Davis, Anthony King, Adam Brister, West Brister, Jonathan Pekins and Jeremy Robbins.

     Condolences to the family can be submitted online at catchingsfuneralhome.com