Margery was born on at Yarbro, to Minnie Evans Ross and Daniel Stephen Ross. A 1937 graduate of Blytheville High school, she lived in the Yarbro community and was a member of the Yarbro Methodist Church for many years.
Until the death of her husband, Vernice M. Brister, in 1964, she was engaged with him in farming at Yarbro. When their son, Vernice Brister Jr., was diagnosed as profoundly deaf at the age of 3, she immersed herself in learning the most up-to-date information about the education of the deaf. Until her death, she continued to be informed about the most recent trends in the education of and treatment for the hearing impaired. She retired as Financial Secretary of the First United Methodist Church in Blytheville where she was a longtime member.
Mrs. Brister was preceded in death by her husband and her parents. In addition, three sisters, Lillian Byrd Ross Hood, Alice Marie Ross, Alberta Ross Bage; and one brother, Daniel Stephen Ross Jr. preceded her in death. Survivors include her sons: Vernice Brister Jr. of Blytheville, Steve Brister and his wife Donna of Jonesboro; and one daughter, Elizabeth Brister Franks and her husband Don of Knoxville, Tenn.; grandchildren are Dr. Alice Franks and her husband Rod North of Greensboro, N.C., Ray Franks and his wife Andrea of New York City, Len Whitehead and his wife Angel of Blytheville, Sean Brister and his wife Stephanie of Alma, Ark., Melody Brister of Atlanta, Ga., and Dr. Paul Brister and his wife Dee of O'Fallon, Mo.; and seven great-grand-children.
Memorials may be made to the Organ Fund of the First United Methodist Church. Cobb Funeral Home of Blytheville is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be e-mailed to [email protected].