of Marshall, AR
July 19, 1936 - February 2, 2025
Chrestie M. Rizzo, age 88, of Welcome Home, Arkansas passed away on Sunday, February 2nd, 2025 at Arkansas Heart Hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas. She was born in Imo, Arkansas on July 19th, 1936 to Audis Small and Dona Duncan Small.
Chrestie was a faithful and loving wife, mother, grandmother and homemaker who enjoyed gardening, canning, cooking, spending time with family and sitting on the porch watching the birds with her cat, Lilah. She was one of the best cooks around and loved making chocolate gravy and homemade biscuits for her grandchildren in the mornings. She was always talking on the phone with her circle of friends and was a devoted member of the Welcome Home Church for many years. She was known for her kind heart, welcoming smile and generosity. She was truly one of a kind and will be greatly missed by everyone. To know her, was to love her. Chrestie and her loving husband, Leo Rizzo, was married for over 40 years and brought 5 children into the world. Chrestie knew the Lord and in her last months she spent much of her time reading her Bible and drawing near to her Heavenly Father. Her family is comforted by the fact that she is now at peace in her Heavenly home.
Survivors include her brothers, Milburn Small of Tilly and Carroll Small of Welcome Home; sister, Arlis Warren of Tilly; five children, Jo Ann Hendrix (David) of Chester, Dennis Rizzo of Welcome Home, Gary Rizzo also of Welcome Home, Royce Rizzo (Glenda) of Choctaw and Mary Flowers of Formosa; grandchildren, David Hendrix (Ashley), Chressy Pfantz (Paul), Brandon Rizzo, Ariel Collins, Sydney Reeves (Shea) and Krista Rizzo and great-grandchildren, William, Dylan and Savannah Hendrix.
Chrestie is preceded in death by her husband, Leo Rizzo who passed away in 1998; her parents, Audis and Dona Small; brother, Benson; nephew, Tim Small and son-in-law, Mike Flowers.
Funeral services for Chrestie will be 10:00 AM Thursday, February 6th, 2025 at Welcome Home Church in Welcome Home, Arkansas with Bro. Roy Ragland and Bro. Andy Treat officiating. Special music will be performed by Kim Treat, Gail Ragland, Mike Ragland and Tim Harness. Visitation will be 6:00 till 8:00 PM Wednesday, February 5th, 2025 at Roller-Coffman Chapel in Marshall, Arkansas. Burial will be in Hinchey Cemetery near Welcome Home. Bearers will be Shea Reeves, Terry Small, Kelly Small, Travis Warren, Paul Pfantz and Andy Treat. Honorary bearers will be Milburn Small, Carroll Small, Dennis Rizzo, Gary Rizzo, Royce Rizzo, David Hendrix, Brandon Rizzo, Sydney Reeves, Krista Rizzo and Chrestie Pfantz.
''To lay to rest this mountain beauty, that the Lord called home.''
To order a DVD copy of this video memorial, please contact our funeral home at + 18704483338.
Sorry for your loss.
So sorry for the loss of your loved one. Praying for the family
Aunt Chrestie was one of the most kind and gentle souls to ever walk this earth. Her gifts for gardening and cooking were unparalleled and she was always quick to share. So many fond memories of her and I know she will be welcomed into heaven by a host of angels. She means so much to me and my family, particularly mom. Prayers for the Rizzo family, she will be missed.
So sorry for your loss may God comfort hearts as only he can she was a wonderful person
We did not see her as much as we would have like to ,but we talked on the phone. we will miss her very much. She was a favorite cousin. Love and blessing to all the family.
Love to the Smalls and Rizzo families. Ditto to everything I see on how sweet and special she was......thanks for all the smiles and special memories!!!!
To the precious gal that sat in the pew in front of us. We will miss your sweet smile and welcoming hugs. Yet only for a little while. We do not grieve as those who have no hope, Jesus has promised us we shall see you again.
So sorry for your loss. So many great memories!
We were saddened to hear of Chestie's passing. My Mom will sure miss her dear friend. She so enjoyed riding the Senior Bus with her and talking to her on the phone. She was a wonderful person, and even more wonderful friend. She was so very nice and i enjoyed the time that i got to spend with her. You all will be in our prayers. Love and hugs. Until we meet again.
She will be missed.
A dear and gentle soul she was…
A fair and devoted heart that loved all who entered her door. Memories and stories that must be retold to generations who will hunger for such women to be sisters, moms, and best friends. Heaven has her record and those who loved her, a precious memory.
Chrestie will be so missed and we were so blessed to have met her at Welcome Home Church. She was such a shining example of what we all should be! She will be missed by many and our prayers are with her family.
Prayers of comfort family and friends. I will miss her sweet smile
Arlis, Carrol, Milburn, and all of Chrestie's children, I am so sorry to hear about Chrestie's death. It's been many years since I've seen her, but my mom, her cousin Cordia, talked about her often and loved her very much. Condolences to all the family, as I know she will be greatly missed.
We are so sorry for your loss. She was such a sweet person. We should all be more like her. We are praying for Gods love to surround all the family at this time.
I first want to express the feeling of loss for the Rizzo Family. I was honored and privileged to, to grow up close to Christie, Leo, Jo Ann, Dennis, Gary, Royce, and Mary. Not a better family could be found in my humble opinion.
I always have fond memories is Christie and always looked forward to seeing her every time I got the opportunity.
May every one find comfort during this time of your loss.
So sorry to hear of Chrestie’s passing from her earthly home but we know her heavenly home is a much better place without sorrow and pain. She was always such a friendly soul. She will be missed but can meet her again.
Heaven is getting sweeter everyday. I have lots of great memories of Ms Chrestie. I was in women’s Sunday School class with her and many other elderly ladies, and oh what a blessing that was. Ms Chrestie was one of the kindest ladies I have ever known. I loved her very much and she will be missed by all who knew her. Prayers for all of her family and friends.
So sorry for your loss. I know she will be miss prayers for all the family and friends.
I'm so sorry about Christie. We had a great time together at Sydneys wedding. She was a wonderful mother grandmother and friend.
She will be missed so very much... love and prayers
Dawn Bush
Sorry for your loss. She was a sweet woman and a fine example of one of christs children. We will miss her.
So very sorry for your loss. We loved visiting with Chrestie when we were down staying with Mary Lou. May God give your family peace and strength.
Steve and Kristin Sims
So sorry to hear this.. Christie was a good friend of my mom and may she rest in peace. Many prayers for the family...
We are so sorry to get this sad news. Chrestie will be missed by so many. I loved visiting with her whenever we met.
So sorry for your loss. Chrestie will be misssed.
I'm so sorry for you alls loss.
Christie was one of the most caring people I've ever known. I loved visiting with her and seeing what all she had canned. I enjoyed hearing about her garden and flowers. She was so much like her Mommy and I loved them both. I'm going to miss her dearly but will join her in heaven some day. Love and prayers to all her family.
I’m so sorry for your loss. This sweet lady will be forever missed. Sending prayers for comfort and peace.
She was the first one to show me what a family is during the holidays. I’ll forever be grateful for the times I did have with her, even though it wasn’t near enough. She definitely touched my heart and will be with me forever. Her wisdom she shared with me I’ll never forget.
My heart was broken when I learned of Christie’s passing. I have nothing but good memories when I look back over the years. Christie and Leo were such good neighbors and our family treasures the friendship we have with the Rizzo family. My thoughts and prayers are with Christie’s family as we say goodbye to one of my Momma’s best friends. She’ll be missed by all of us who were recipients of her kindness, gentleness, and love.
Sorry for your loss hope y'all will be ok keep faith love mark