Mattie Brister

Our amazing, beautiful talented gifted mother passed away on her special day, Mother's Day, May 14, 2017 at the Brookdale Assisted Living facility in Hattiesburg. She's a longtime resident of Gulfport but moved to Hattiesburg 13 years ago to be near her daughter due to declining health.
She was preceded in death by her husband, J.O. Brister; her three siblings, Andrew Scipper of Columbus , MS, T.H. Scipper, of Sledge, MS, and Lois Rogers of Harrisonburg, VA.
She is survived by her children, Tommye Tonneson and her husband Rick of West Monroe, LA, Joe Brister and his wife Tammy of Gulfport, Susan Bedwell and her husband Rick of Petal; her grandchildren, Dr. Brian Brister of Dallas, TX; Staff Sgt. Steven Keiff and wife Penny of Alexandria, LA, Joey Hood of Austin, TX, Brittany Bedwell Solomon and husband Steven of Southaven, MS, JoErin Tonneson Perkins and husband Tommy of West Monroe, LA, Sgt. Brad Tonneson and wife Sarah of Ft. Sill, OK (currently serving in the U.S. Army in South Korea), Bevin Bedwell Luse and her husband Patrick of Hot Springs, AR, Ryan Tonneson of West Monroe, LA; her great-grandchildren, Alex Brister, Sadie Luse, Addie Solomon, Sam Luse, Jack Tonneson, Hollen Tonneson, Sophie Luse, Avalynn Perkins, Caroline Perkins; and a host of nieces, nephews and loving friends.
Born in Harrisburg, AR in 1919, when she was five, her family moved to Mississippi to be closer to their family. They crossed the Mississippi River in a covered wagon drawn by mules. Her family was tenet farmers in the Mississippi delta farming community. Things got better when her daddy bought a farm and grocery store. She graduated from Darling Mississippi High School and attended Mississippi State College for Women in Columbus for two years. She worked briefly in Memphis but was called home to "Bertie", to help manage the grocery store and farm when her two brothers were called to serve in WWII.
While working in the grocery store, a handsome whitty salesman fell in love with her and finally convinced her to marry him in 1948. They worked together to establish businesses in Batesville, Gulfport, and Lyman. She worked for the Harrison County Welfare Dept. as the food stamp supervisor for several years. Mama was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ. She was active in church and civic activities. She loved local and national politics. She faithfully kept up with the "Bulls & Bears" and always wanted to know how her investments were doing. She excelled in all her hobbies and interests and was a gifted seamstress, quilter, gardener, and cook. She was even known to correct Paula Deen's recipes in the margins of her cookbooks. She was known for growing her beautiful amaryllises which were showstoppers.
Truly a member of Americas Greatest Generation; she was a Delta Belle and a Steel Magnolia, she was full of energy, motivated and always had a plan for her next project. She was never idle, never wasted her time. She always did her very best and expected others to do the same. Even on her death bed one of her care givers asked, "Miss Mattie, who's the boss?" Mama whispered, "I am". We are strong people because we were raised by a very strong amazing woman.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Gulf Coast Bible Camp, 120 Bible Camp Rd, Lucedale, Mississippi 39452.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 20, 2017 at RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 11280 Three Rivers Road, Gulfport with a visitation for family and friends beginning at 12:00 p.m. until the service. A private interment will be held in Floral Hills Memorial Gardens.