At sunrise on November 16, 2023, Kathryn Lee Jackson Brister was walked to the gates of Heaven and surrendered to the arms of Jesus with rejoicing and prayer by her husband and their children in their family home. Kathryn was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She is survived by the love of her life and husband of 58 years, Michael C. Brister. Together Kathryn and Mike instilled a hard work ethic, a love for family, and an unshakable love for Jesus in each of their children and grandchildren.

Kathryn was a lifelong, active member of Friendship Baptist Church where she loved to sing in the choir and served on many committees and in many capacities including teaching children's Sunday School and youth Discipleship Training.

Kathryn was a 1963 graduate of North Pike High School where she was a cheerleader, Miss North Pike, Hall of Fame and salutatorian of her graduating class. She was very active in Pike County 4H and also served as Pike County's Dairy Princess.

While her children attended North Pike, she served the school as a classroom mom and was a member of the PTA, Band Boosters, and served as Band Booster President. She received an Associates of Arts from Southwest Mississippi Junior College where she was active in many activities including the Baptist Student Union, Dormettes, band, stage band and choir.

Among many things Kathryn enjoyed in life was her passion for music, singing, and playing the piano. She was an accomplished seamstress, incredible cook, and expert baker. She loved  working in her yard and was a skilled gardner with a green thumb. She loved Christmas and has a remarkable Santa collection.

Over the years, Kathryn worked as homemaker, bank teller, tax specialist, and ended her work career at Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center after 12 years. She was a member of the Judith Robinson Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and also served on the Pike County Miss Hospitality committee.

Kathryn was instrumental in organizing and establishing the Friendship Fire Department. In early years before there was a central dispatch service, when the fire department was needed, she would field phone calls and call each fire fighter to respond. She was a dedicated volunteer of 50 years with the fire department alongside her husband, Chief Michael Brister. Kathryn served in various capacities including serving in the women's auxiliary as well as serving on the Board of Directors.

She was born on May 23, 1945 to Charles Everett Jackson, Sr. and Ilda Lee McCulley Jackson who preceded her in death. She is also preceded in death by two grandchildren, Kristilee Michele Brister-McDaniel and Karollee Michele Brister-McDaniel.

She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Michael C. Brister, their children Cynthia Hodges (Bob), Dwain Brister (Brandi), Kathlena Thomas (Chad), Kalee E. Brister, and Karinlee Michele Brister, 9 grandchildren, Robert Hodges, Richard Hodges, Leeanna Terrell (Nick), Katelee Thomas Cloys (Brian), and Kyler Thomas, Kathrynlee Michele Brister-McDaniel, and Jackson Lee Brister-McDaniel, 3 great-grandchildren, Evan Hodges, Noah Terrell, and Leah Kathryn Cloys and a host of family and friends.

The family would like to express our sincerest appreciation to St. Luke's Home and Hospice for their love, comfort, and care of Mother and their ministry to our family.

Visitation for Kathryn will be Sunday, November 19 from 5:00pm-8:00pm at Friendship Baptist Church and Monday, November 20 from 9:30am until services at 11:00am also at Friendship Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Reeves Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Robert Hodges, Richard Hodges, Kyler Thomas, Nick Terrell, Bob Hodges, Chad Thomas. Honorary pallbearers will be Brian Cloys, Evan Hodges, Noah Terrell, and Jackson Lee Brister-McDaniel.