Elizabeth "Lizzie" Christal

Elizabeth was born in Cedar Valley, Texas on December 6, 1919 and lived there most of her life, leaving briefly during WWII to live in San Antonio, Dallas and Laurel, Mississippi while her husband James served his country in the OSI. After the war she and James returned home with their growing family and built the house where she would raise six children and live until the age of 90. Elizabeth enjoyed traveling, music, gardening, working around her property, reading Louis L’Amour novels and playing Skip-Bo. She had a talent for arts and crafts including crocheting, quilting and making Christmas ornaments. For many years she was a member of the Marx-Rutter Family Reunion Committee and also volunteered at Hill Country Senior Citizens in Dripping Springs and the Baptist Community Center in Austin, but above all else, family, friends and her relationship with the Lord were the most important things in her life. Whether it was someone just stopping by her house to visit, or hosting a party for 75 at her barn, everyone was greeted with her trademark smile, plenty to eat, and was made to feel at home. Elizabeth was a woman whose unwavering faith, determination and positive attitude were an inspiration to everyone around her. She was a true family matriarch and the epitome of everything that a mother, grandmother, sister and friend should be.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, James Christal, son Robert Christal, sisters Dolly Willie, Dosia Crumley and Minnie Rutter, brothers Lonnie Rutter and Davis Rutter and parents Robert Gradie Rutter and Ella Marx.

She is survived by her children Charles Christal, Pat Simpson, Mike Christal, Mary Smith and husband Smitty, Joan Uhrig and her husband Sam and daughter-in-law Aggie Christal. She also leaves behind grandchildren Billy Simpson and wife Wendy, Jerry Simpson, Bryan Simpson and wife Bobbie, Mark Simpson and his wife Angela, Becca Reed and her husband James, Dale Christal, Rebecca Johnson and husband Brian, Vanessa Spurlock and husband Earl, Veronica Hughes and husband Josh, Neal Christal, Ken Yawn and his wife Amy. Grandma Effie is also survived by 30 great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, Heather, Xavier, Drew, Nathan, Casie, Natalie, Nick, Chris, Josh, Sterling, Sarah, Sheldon, Spencer, Michael, Julie, Matthew, Elizabeth, DJ, Justin, Toby, Ashley, David, Robert, Jonathan, Kara, Caleb, Ben, Caroline, Remy and Zachary. She will also be missed by brothers Robert Rutter and wife Una, Glenn Rutter and his wife Meda Jean, sister-in-laws Gussie Rutter and Leola Crumley and the rest of her extended family.

The family would also like to thank the staff and volunteers of Stonebridge Health Center for their care and compassion.

The family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, April 24, 2014 at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, April 25, 2014 in the Chapel of Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Baptist Community Center, 2000 E. 2nd Street, Austin, TX 78702.