Lela Gist

Service for Lela Pearl Underdown Gist, 87, of Rio Vista will be conducted at 10:00 A.M., Monday, April 24, 2023 in the Crosier-Pearson Cleburne Chapel. Mr. Karl Jones and Mr. Raymond Pruitt will officiate. Burial will follow in Rio Vista Cemetery. Visitation will be 6-8:00 P.M., Sunday, April 23, 2023 at the funeral home.

Mrs. Gist passed away Wednesday, April 19, 2023 in Fort Worth. She was born January 22, 1936 in Covington to Edward Cas and Ophelia Gentry Underdown. She married Calvin H. Gist on November 7, 1953 in Cleburne. He preceded her in death in 2010. She was a homemaker and a member of Burleson Church of Christ. Pearl’s home was always open to anyone and she was glad to see all who came by. The family gatherings and vacations brought her great joy as did fishing trips with her husband. She was a great storyteller and family historian. Pearl was a devoted friend throughout her life. She was known as a lady who had a way of softly taking control of all occasions. Pearl taught her children to be self sufficient. “Grancy” adored her grandchildren and they became the center of her world. She will be missed greatly.

Mrs. Gist is survived by her children and their spouses: Kevin Gist and Karen of Rio Vista, Wade Gist of Rio Vista, and Selene Nix and Bruce of Cleburne; grandchildren, Sarah Gist, Seth and Victoria Gist, Ty and Hannah Gist, Iain Nix, and Christopher Jenkins; great-grandchildren, Ellesyn, Calvin, Levi, and Elliott; brother, Jessie Underdown and several nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

Mrs. Gist is preceded in death by her parents; husband and siblings Cornelius Harrison, Clyde Harrison, Horace Harrison and Nelda Metcalf.

Memorials may be made to the Cherokee Home for Children @ www.chc4kids.org or P.O. Box 295 Cherokee, TX 76832.