Mavis Starks Lisonbee, our mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, passed from this life into Eternal Life on Sunday, May 9, 2021. Mavis was born on June 1, 1930, in Gilmer, Texas, to James Roosevelt Starks and Ida Marie Bowers. She was the middle child of seven, with four sisters and two brothers.
While in high school, Mavis met her Eternal Sweetheart, Alvern (Bernie) Lisonbee, who was a good friend of her brother, and after dating a short while they were married on January 16, 1947 in the Mesa LDS Temple.
Mavis is a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She has a strong testimony of and love for her Savior Jesus Christ. She is known for her deep faith, integrity, her loving kindness, and service to others. She is greatly loved by her family and friends. She is talented in homemaking, art, sewing, and the gardening of her roses. To her family, Mavis is most famous for her award-winning pies – especially her apple pie.
Mavis is lovingly welcomed on the other side by those who proceded her in death: her husband, Alvern; her parents; her brother Delton; and her sisters – Eva, Vernice, Vada, and Arlene; nine nieces/nephews; and a great granddaughter Mallory.
She is survived by her children: Stan and Karen Lisonbee, Steve and Diane Lisonbee, and Vicki and Craig Riggs. Her grandchildren: Charlotte Hegel, Darin Lisonbee, Stephanie Bond, Jamie McGee, Justin Riggs, Mandi Miller, Stacey Randall, Sara Nielson, Niki Mosbaugh, Ian Burke, Travis Burke, and Carol Cremin. Also, by her 39 great grandchildren, and 3 great great grandchildren; her brother Darwin Starks; a sister-in-law Alene Brooks; plus 70 nieces and nephews, and many dear friends.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 22, 2021, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Mesa 25th Ward Chapel, 848 North Westwood, in Mesa, Arizona. Visitation will be held from 9:00 to 11:00 am. The funeral will be at 11:00 am. Burial will be in the Mesa City Cemetery following the services.
For those unable to attend, the services can be accessed by: https://zoom.us/j/96745239416
I remember, with great fondness, the few years I taught piano lessons to both Mavis and Bernie. What fun times we had! Mavis never lost that “Southern charm”… such a delightful person to be with in that setting. I came to love and respect her immensely, and will always be grateful for our association. My love to each member of her family!
So sorry to hear of Mavis’s passing. Word doesn’t travel as fast as it used to. My heart goes out to her children. They took such good care of her. I remember her love of Mexican food and would often see the family at their favorite restaurant each week. She was always a happy person and spread love everywhere she went. Our love to all Mavis’s family.