Rudy Jean Cristee

Rudy Jean (Schoeppee) Cristee passed quietly at her home in Bentonville on the evening of December 26th, 2016. Rudy was born in Fort Smith, Ark. on August 29, 1929 to Rudolph and Claire Schoppee. Rudy and her family moved to Mountainburg, Ark. in 1935 when she was six years old and she continued to reside there before moving to Bentonville to be near her children. Rudy married James (Leo) Cristee on June 15th 1946 and they shared 69 years of marriage before Leo passed away in 2015. In addition to her parents and husband Rudy was predeceased by her sisters Marge Huber and Dorothy Richardson and brother Johnny Schoppee. Rudy is survived by her three children Carolyn Whitsell ( Larry Fruhlinger) Bentonville, Randy Cristee of Rogers and Tony Cristee of Bella Vista. Left to cherish her memory is her three grandchildren, Rick Patterson (Beth) of Van Buren, Casey Cristee (Tim) and Alex Cristee (Shelly) of Jonesboro. Rudy also had three great grandchildren Logan and Hannah Patterson and Londyn Cristee. She was also survived by her sister Alene Meadors of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. In addition to being a loving wife and mother Rudy worked with the Ozark Regional Library at their Mountainburg branch. She loved books and was an avid reader. She took joy in reading to children. Mom was famous for many things. She was famous for her homemade peanut brittle and fudge at the holidays and for growing beautiful flowers. Rudy was a lifelong member of the Mountainburg Presbyterian Church where she worshiped until moving to Bentonville and after her move she looked forward to visiting her friends at church. The family invites you to celebrate the life of Rudy Cristee at the Mountainburg Presbyterian Church on Saturday December 31st at 11 a.m. Rudy will be interred with her husband Leo at the National Cemetery in Fayetteville in a private service. The family would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Mom's wonderful caregivers Mary, Mandy and Teresa and well as the care team with Circle of Life Hospice. In lieu of flowers the family request you make donations to food pantry at Mountainburg Presbyterian Church or to Circle of Life Hospice, 901 Jones Road, Springdale, Ark. 72762.