Merilee Brister

Mrs. Merilee Lavenhagen Lambert Brister, age 78, of Hartwell, GA. passed away on March 9, 2022 at St. Mary's Hospital in Athens, GA.

She was born on February 22, 1944, to the late William Wayne Lavenhagen and Ellen Gammell Kitchens in Des Moines, Iowa.

Mrs. Brister was a member of First Baptist Church in Hartwell, GA. and recently attended First Methodist Church in Hartwell, GA. She helped with Relay for Life, was family oriented, loved organizing, traveling, social events, and ocean and river cruising. She was a member of Friendship Force of Lake Hartwell, member of Cateechee Golf Club, a Doent at the Art Center, member of The Sisterhood knitting group, and was on the cooking team at First Baptist. She was a retired Nurse having worked with Hartwell Family Practice and The Medical Center in Elberton, GA. and received her nursing degree at Elbert Memorial Hospital.

She is survived by her husband; Richard Brister, children; Barbara Lambert McGuigan (John), Michael Lambert (Maybelle), Nicole McGuigan (Scott), Kurt Brister (Susan), siblings; Terrance Lavenhagen (Sue), Bill Lavenhagen (Mary Jo), grandchildren; Katie McGuigan Bloodworth (Alex), Mary Claire McGuigan, Matthew McGuigan, Morgan McGuigan, Sarah Brister, Lauren Brister, great grandchildren; Landon and Olivia Bloodworth. She is preceded in death by her parents; first husband; Carl Lambert and brother; Mike Lavenhagen.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, September 25, 2022, from 2-6 p.m. at the Art Center, 338 E. Howell Street, Hartwell, GA.

The family has requested no flowers and that donations can be made to St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN. 38105,  Butterfly Dreams Farm Therapeutic Riding Program, PO BOX 622, Watkinsville, GA. 30677, or The Parkinsons Foundation/Michael J Fox PO Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741.

Coile and Hall Funeral Directors, 333 E Johnson Street, is in charge of arrangements for Mrs. Brister.