Dorothy "Hotona" Rister

Dorothy Hotona Sparks McDonald Rister, 101, passed away peacefully at the family farm just 8 days away from her 102nd birthday, on Monday, January 8, 2024. Funeral Service: 10 a.m. Thursday, January 11, 2024 in White’s Chapel of Memories, 130 Houston Ave., Weatherford. Interment: Memory Gardens of the Valley, 5600 Mineral Wells Hwy., Weatherford. Hotona was born January 16, 1922 to Leslie and Bessie (Jones) Sparks at Paul's Valley, Oklahoma, during the oil boom. They moved back to the family farm in Millsap in 1924. Hotona graduated from Millsap School. She married her school sweetheart, J. A. McDonald on December 23, 1938. They were blessed with five children and were very proud of them all. J. A. and Hotona were married for 37 years. They were a part of the greatest generation ever and were very proud of their sacrifice and contributions to the World War II war effort. On January 10, 1974, Hotona married Irvin Rister. They were very happy until his passing in June of 1980. Hotona worked for American Manufacturing during the war and later at Proctor Plantland, Jamak, and retired from Jack in the Box, where she was known as the best prep lady ever! Hotona had one sister, Melba Whitworth. She took Melba into her home and cared for her when Melba was 90 and Hotona was 93 even though she was mostly blind and in a wheelchair. Melba passed away December 31, 2017. Hotona lived independently at her own home until she broke her leg at the age of 98. After she broke her leg, she moved back to her family's farm with her son, James McDonald, and granddaughter, Rhonda Siver. James passed away March 11, 2023. Hotona is preceded in death by her parents, Leslie and Bessie Sparks; sister, Melba Whitworth; all five children, Marsha Wharton, James McDonald, Jane Watson, Judy Webb, and Betty Wheeler; grandchildren, Bruce Newsom, Brian Newsom, Lanetta McClellon, Randy Wharton, and James Doodle McDonald. She is survived by grandchildren, Rhonda Siver, Donna Moncrief, Donna Watson, Dale Rister, Sheila Starks, Leslie Watson, Eugene Watson, Melissa Durham, Connie Golden, Diane McDaniel, Chris Bellar, Jay Webb, and Johnny Webb; and numerous great and great-great and even great-great-great-grandchildren. An afternoon with her was priceless!