Billie Jean Lister , 78, of Carthage, Texas, passed away on Tuesday, May 29, 2018, in Carthage. She was born on March 24, 1940, in Delray, Texas to the late Eugene and Ella Mae Hicks Rayson. Billie Jean was captain of her basketball team at Turner High School where she graduated with the class of 1958. She married John D. Lister, Sr. on November 2, 1962, in Center, Texas, and he preceded her in death on February 7, 2010.  Mrs. Lister was a homemaker and spent her lifetime in Carthage. She was a member of Johnson Chapel C.M.E. church. She is also preceded in death by her brothers, Roger Dale Rayson and Jim Dan Rayson and great-grandchildren, Hope and Faith Henderson.

Survivors are her sons, John D. Lister, Jr. and wife Karrie of Carthage, Kevin D. Lister and wife Lasonia of Center, and Jeremy D. Lister and wife Darla of Carthage; daughters, Josephine Rayson of Carthage Dalphine Walls and husband Michael of Carthage, Rosetta Hicks of Carthage and Ella McLaughlin of Carthage; brothers, Huey P. Rayson and wife Bonnie of Dallas, James McCoy Rayson of Lubbock, Willie Rayson of Carthage and Bobby Rayson and wife Diane of Sweetwater; sisters, Allie Phane McGill of Shreveport, Alice Blankenship and husband Bobby of Carthage, Tammy Scott of Dallas, Samantha Davis of Royce City and Patricia Davis of Royce City; 15 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.  She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 2, 2018, at Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home Chapel with Bishop Hubert Owens and Pastor Von Eric McKee officiating.  A viewing will be from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Interment will be at Holland's Quarter Cemetery.

Pallbearers are Charles Johnson, Jeff Pope, Jacory Rayson, Jmmy Rayson, Juandrel Roquemore and Patrick Williams.  Honorary pallbearers are Jeremy Lister, John Lister, Jr., Kevin Lister, Bobby Rayson, Hughey Rayson, James Rayson and Willie Rayson.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.