L.W. "Red" Lister

Lucius Weldon Lister, age 101, of San Augustine, Texas, passed away Friday, May 8, 2026. Mr. Lister was born August 12, 1924, in San Augustine County to Sidney F. Lister and Nina Ricks Lister. He was a 1941 graduate of San Augustine High School.

He was also known as Red, Dad, Papa, Big Papa, Brother, Booger, friend, and neighbor.

He and his first wife, LaVerne, raised their three children in Pasadena and were active members of Memorial Baptist Church. Red retired from Shell Refinery in Deer Park. LaVerne passed away in October 1979. Red found love again and remarried in August 1984. After living in Pasadena for a while, he and his second wife, JoAnn, moved to Rockport, Texas. Following her passing in 2011, he returned to San Augustine where he could be closer to family.

Red was preceded in death by his first wife, LaVerne Conn Lister; second wife, JoAnn Williams Lister; and his only son, Weldon "Buddy" Lister. Also preceding him were his son-in-law, Robert A. Barnett; a grandson-in-law, Tim Cunningham; one sister, Maxine McWhorter; and three brothers, Clyde, Kenneth, and Sidney Lister.

Surviving him are his daughters, Nina Barnett of San Augustine and Ann Bridges (Alvin) of San Augustine; daughter-in-law, Patricia Lister Pierce (Tom) of Cleveland; seven grandchildren, Karen Cunningham, Kathy Hall (Rodney), Kim Petty (Jay), Kevin Bridges (Sarah), Curtis Bridges, Sheryl Lister, and Dwayne Lister (Amy).

Mr. Lister has nine great-grandchildren, Mark Cunningham (Jordan), Caleb Hall (Sarah), Rebekah Hall, Brooke Lopez (Donte'), Bethany Petty, Levi Bridges, Beau Bridges, Alex Lister, Gemma Lister; and two great-great-grandsons, Joseph and Niko Lopez. He also leaves behind brothers Lynn Lister and Hal Lister (Margie); and sister-in-law, Cindy Conn. His stepchildren have been a big part of his life, Angie Varga (Dave), Phyllis Kessler (Scott), and Ray Williams, and their children and grandchildren. Plus nieces, nephews, family, and friends who loved him dearly. 

Mr. Lister never met a stranger. He enjoyed meeting and visiting whoever he ran into. He loved riding through the country and could tell who lived where, who they dated, and who they married. He was definitely a walking history book.

Mr. Lister was an active member of Memorial Presbyterian Church in San Augustine and was a life member of the Sons of the Republic of Texas. He loved springtime so he could plant his garden, and he always planted a lot more than he needed so he could share his harvest.

Red wrote his first poem, "The Roses," after LaVerne passed away. He didn't write any more for several years, but he picked up his pen again and wrote a book of poems in 2021. In July 2025, he published his first book, Where the Pines Meet the Sky, and was honored to have two book signings in San Augustine. He continued writing until his death.

He loved helping great-granddaughters with college projects and even danced with one at her wedding.

What a legacy Red leaves. Great memories and wonderful friends. He loved his God and country and always enjoyed being with his family. We know we were blessed to have him this long, but we sure will miss him.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Wyman Roberts Funeral Home, located at 316 W. Columbia Street in San Augustine.

Funeral services are set for 2:00 p.m. Sunday, May 10, 2026, at the Wyman Roberts Memorial Chapel. Committal service and interment will follow at the Magnolia Springs Cemetery in San Augustine County.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Magnolia Springs Cemetery Association.

Visit www.wymanrobertsfh.com for memories and condolences.

Arrangements are under the direction of Wyman Roberts Funeral Home in San Augustine.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of L.W. "Red" Lister, please visit our floral store.