Phyllis Gerene (East) Risner was born April 11, 1936 at Alton, Missouri, the daughter of the late Wilson Edward East and Ora (Prewitt) East.
She is survived by two sons, Mark Risner of Myrtle, Missouri and Kent Nelson Risner and wife Cindy, Caulfield, Missouri; three granddaughters, Sadee Risner, Myrtle, Missouri, Calee Risner, Myrtle, Missouri, and Emilee Coleman and husband Tristen, Fort Campbell, Kentucky; two great granddaughters, Lexcee Saba and Harlee Coleman, Fort Campbell, Kentucky; two very special cousins, Robert Wood and wife Gay, Mars, Pennsylvania, and Richard Prewitt and wife Della, Mt. Vernon, Missouri, as well as a fellowship of thousands of friends dedicated to living one day at a time.
She is preceded in death by her parents and two very special cousins, Jo Lynn Grimes and Martha Day.
She received her education in schools of Amory, Mississippi and Thayer, Missouri. She was employed at West Plains Bank for many years retiring in 1998. She was a member of the Curry Street Church of Christ. Phyllis loved the outdoors, things of nature, especially near lakes and streams, and embraced a casual life style. Her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren were her central focus of life.
Phyllis was the best Mom that two boys ever had. Her granddaughters enjoyed trips to the lake with their nana and all the times spent outside and by the water; always looked forward to see if she had any sweet treats baked in the kitchen.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, February 8, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. at the Curry Street Church of Christ, West Plains, Missouri.
Visitation will be held on Monday, February 7, 2022 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Carter Funeral Home Chapel, West Plains, Missouri.
Burial will be held in Thayer Cemetery, Thayer, Missouri, under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc., West Plains, Missouri.
February 2, 2022 @ 9:59 am
Mark, Kent, and all the family and friends, we are so sorry to learn of Phyllis’ passing. We pray that God will bless and comfort you.
February 2, 2022 @ 11:19 am
Mark,Kent/Cindy and Families,
Our Deepest Sympathy to all of you on the passing of Phyllis. May God comfort, encourage, strengthen, and give each of you peace and we will be praying for all of you as well. May God bless all of you.
In Christian Love,
Norris/Ivene Cozort
Tim, Amber(Cozort), and Corby Redburn
February 2, 2022 @ 11:37 am
I will miss our visits talking about family history and growing up in Thayer. You will always be in my heart.
Bob Wood
February 8, 2022 @ 12:02 pm
The East’s were neighbors to the MT Miller family in Thayer. Bob (Rabbit) talked about her often. In fact before she went to work at the bank she worked for Bob in his shoe store. You have my sincere sympathy.
February 2, 2022 @ 3:16 pm
I will miss our long conversations about family history and growing up in Thayer. She was more like a sister rather than cousin.
She will always be in my heart.
February 2, 2022 @ 4:15 pm
So sorry!
February 3, 2022 @ 9:17 am
Mark, Kent/Cindy & Family,
We express our deepest condolences to all of you on the passing of Phyllis. We are keeping all of you in our daily prayers and may God comfort, encourage, support, and give each of you peace during this difficult time. May God bless all of you.
In Christian Love,
Norris/Ivene Cozort
Tim, Amber, and Corby Redburn
February 3, 2022 @ 3:38 pm
So sorry!!!
February 4, 2022 @ 1:25 pm
To phyllis’s Family, I am so sorry for your loss! My Mom, Betty Rogers and Phyllis were close friends for many years and my Mom talked about Phyllis a lot and all of the visits they had! After the loss of Mom I missed hearing her speak about Phyllis! I have some pictures here of Phyllis in her younger years I had been meaning to give her one day, maybe I can give them to you boy’s, I hate it I never got them to her! She was a special lady and always had a smile on her sweet face! May the precious memories give you peace and comfort in the days ahead!
February 5, 2022 @ 8:14 pm
I am sincerely sorry to hear of the passing of Phyllis. She was always such a genuinely sweet lady when I would visit with her at West Plains Bank and she never seemed to age. I will be praying for comfort and peace for the family and friends in the days to follow.
February 6, 2022 @ 1:49 pm
So very sorry to see this! She was a very good friend to me and helped me get through some very rough times in my life!
February 10, 2022 @ 6:21 am
I am so sorry to hear of Phyllis passing. She was a very special person. I was friends with her through mutual friends Lois and Marion Gerber, and a coworker with her at WPBank. She had such a wonderful sense of humor. She will be missed.