Beloved, redeemed and rejoicing: Mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, Elma "Fay" (Griffith) Kistler, finished her race and went Home to rest in the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on July 28, 2025, at the age of 104. Fay was born in Lubbock, Texas on April 26, 1921. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray Kistler; parents, Joseph and Elma Griffith; sisters, Margaret Griffith and Dorothy Borling; and son-in-law, Allen Haeggquist.
In the fall of 1943, Fay met her future husband, Ray, at a USO dance in Phoenix. Their 65-year marriage began on June 4, 1944. Fay often recounted the story of "D-Day" occurring during her honeymoon. She and Ray leave behind two daughters, Carolyn Haeggquist, Roslyn (Lance) Holemon; grandchildren Griffith (Stephanie) Haeggquist, Carrie (Chuck) O'Connor, Matthew (Sheri) Holemon, Scott (Carolyn) Holemon, Andrew (Jessica) Holemon; and 14 great-grandchildren.
Fay was selfless, living out Jesus' instructions to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." (Matt.22:37) and to "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matt.22:40).
Her home was the hub of the family. When her body failed and she could no longer cook family dinners, host breakfasts on her patio, host friends for Bible studies, or bake cookies for her church, she continued to offer godly advice and prayed faithfully for her family and friends.
Though we miss her greatly; we will cherish our memories and rejoice that she is home with Jesus and that we will see her again in heaven.
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