Karen "Elaine" (Dixon) Risser

Karen Elaine Risser, 68, passed away Saturday, February 16, 2019.

Elaine, as she was known to friends and family, was born in Matador, Texas, and was a lifelong area resident. She met Fred Risser at Wayland Baptist University, where she graduated with a degree in mathematics and business, and the two married in 1973. The pair had two daughters, Kobbi Blair and Kaci Risser.

She worked as the secretary for Matador’s First Baptist Church for 34 years. She also led worship as the church’s organist for more than 35 years. She helped launch a children’s choir at the church and later a community-wide Kid’s Praise program.  She was passionate about missions, and supported mission trips to various locations, locally and globally.

While a primary focus for her was serving her church, she also enjoyed reading to third graders at school.  She enjoyed the process of designing and creating projects, and making memories with her family.

She is survived by her mother, Frances Dixon, Matador; her husband, Fred Risser, Matador, her daughters, Kobbi Blair, Midlothian, Texas, and Kaci Risser, Columbia, South Carolina; son-in-law, Brian Blair, Midlothian, Texas; and grandchildren, Journey Blair and Dixon Blair, Midlothian, Texas.

She is preceded in death by her father, Stuart Dixon.

Visitation for Elaine will be Monday, February 18 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at Zapata Funeral Home in Matador, Texas.  A funeral service will be held at the First Baptist Church in Matador on Tuesday, February 19 beginning at 2:00 PM. Interment will follow at the East mound Cemetery.  Services are under the direction of Zapata Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to a fund in Elaine’s name at the First Baptist Church, Matador TX.