Mary Oma Brister

Funeral services for Mary Oma Brister will be held on Thursday, March 23, 2023 at 11 am at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home with Rev. Randy Oliff and Rev. Jimmy McDonald officiating. Burial will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery near Hagewood, LA. The family will receive friends from 5 pm until 8 pm on March 22nd at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home. She was born on August 1, 1937 to her parents, John and Ina Mae McCallister in Natchitoches, LA. Those left to cherish her memory include her loving husband of 51 years, Wanel Brister; her son, Michael LeDoux and wife Linda of Seabrook, TX; her daughter, Charlotte Grayson and husband John of Natchitoches, LA; her son, Danny Brister and wife Shirley of Elysian Fields, TX; daughter, Diane Beal of Pittsburgh, PA; and a brother, Ronnie McCallister of Bellwood, LA. She was blessed with 8 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and 1 recent great-great grandchild. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Ina Mae Stephens McCallister; her sons, David LeDoux, Keith Allen Aaron, John Brister; a grandson, Jeffery Brister; her sisters, Marie McCallister, Lila Mae Fitzpatrick, Bell Jordan, Jo Fuller, Molly Brown, Alice Guin, and Lanora Jennings; and her brothers, George McCallister, John McCallister, Jr. and Luther McCallister. Mary was a gracious, loving, Christian woman. You didn’t have to be told of her strong Christian faith; it was evident by the way she lived her life. She was a long-time member of Harmony Baptist Church. Mary’s love for her family, friends and even complete strangers was shown through her humble service to all. She was a talented cook and enjoyed preparing delicious meals to share with her family and friends. She was especially known for her fabulous cinnamon rolls that she prepared. She would send them out of town to family and friends, delivered to local community events, and even made to bring to her doctors and staff at each appointment. It was all done because she possessed a caring and loving heart for people. Mary enjoyed playing cards with her dear friends and preserving fruits and vegetables from her husband’s garden. As her health declined, she enjoyed watching the squirrels and birds from her chair. She especially loved seeing the beautiful hummingbirds on her porch before they migrated. She will be dearly missed but we take comfort in knowing that we will be reunited with her one day in heaven. Those honored to serve as pallbearers include John Randall Grayson, Brandon Grayson, Paul Brister, Bobby Brister, Dylan LeDoux, and Paul “Chip” Jordan, Jr. Honorary pallbearers will be John Aaron Grayson, Cole Darrell Grayson, Waylon Luke Grayson, and Tynslee Ann Ezernack.