Kristi Lanair (Ward) Laister

Kristi Lanair Ward Laister was born December 9, 1981 to Wanda Collins and the late Walter Ward, Sr. She is the youngest of her siblings. At an early age Kristi confessed Christ to be her Lord and Savior and was baptized. She worshipped and served at Shady Grove Baptist Church in Pinson, AL until adulthood and as an adult served at Gate City Church in Georgia until her health crisis.  Before the health crisis Kristi stated God had called her to the ministry. Kristi loved to sing so much so that she participated faithfully in the children’s choir, youth choir, young adult choir and high school choir as she blossomed into adulthood. She also was a part of the usher ministry as a young adult. Kristi played both the violin and piano and was also a Colorguard in High school.  Kristi was educated in the Birmingham School System. Kristi was always an honor student.  She attended Inglenook Elementary, Hayes Middle and graduating from Ramsay Alternative High School c/o 2000. 

After graduating from High school, Kristi attended The University of North Alabama for two years.  She later transferred to The University of Alabama at Birmingham where she earned her Bachelor of Science Degree with emphasis in Marketing.  Kristi went on to Troy University earning her Master of Science Degree in Management with emphasis in Healthcare.

Kristi’s career started as a teen working as a pharmacy tech at CVS. She did an internship with UAB in the Marketing Communications Department.  Kristi continued on the road to marketing by working for Adesa Inc. and the Yellowpages.com.  Kristi then transitioned into healthcare marketing by landing a job with Somerby at University Park Retirement Community. One year later Kristi began work as an Admissions & Marketing Director with Cherry Hill Healthcare. Before relocating to Georgia Kristi was last employed with Northway Health and Rehab as the Admissions & Marketing Director & Work at Baptist Princeton in Marketing.

Kristi was a social butterfly.  She was involved with many organizations such as:

Mission Birmingham

Offices of Senior Citizens Services

Medical Social Service Organization (MSSO) Member

Birmingham Urban League Young Professionals of Birmingham Member

Jefferson County Division of Youth Services Volunteer

Birmingham Business Alliance (formally BBB) Company Representative

American Marketing Association of UAB: Collegiate Chapter President

American Marketing Association Mentoring Program: Mentee

Kristi’s education, work experience and acquired skills gained her the following recognitions:

Jefferson County Division of Youth Services: Certificate of Appreciation 2009

Ball Healthcare Services, Inc.: Certificate of Appreciation 2008

Brookdale Senior Living: Selling Skills 2007 Milwaukee, WI

YellowPages.com by AT&T (BellSouth) Quota Buster Award ($2,606 of $2,500 objective 104%) 2nd Quarter 2006

Several Certificates from AT&T (BellSouth) Security Awareness Training 2006

Alabama Registered Pharmacy Technician 1998-2005

Kristi departed this life to be with the Lord eternally on April 19, 2022.  She was preceded in death by her Grandparents Clarence and Rosa Thomas, Willie and Azile Goree; Her biological father Walter Ward, Sr., Her mother in Law- Nikita Laister and 3 days prior to Kristi’s transition her beloved fur baby of 17 years Dabbs transitioned as well.

Those left to cherish her memories are her loving husband Marcus E. Laister, her 2 beautiful children Courtlyn Chrisette and Camden Christian Laister; her Parents Herman and Wanda Collins; her siblings Walter (Skip) Ward Jr., Joycelynn (Joy) Johnson, Latasha (Tasha) Givens; Her Father in law- Gary Earl Laister; Sister in law-Marquita Laister; Brother in law- Clay Johnson.; 3 nephews- Cobe Johnson, Niqius Laister & Niandre Howard; 3 nieces- Cheyenne, Chari & Charity Johnson; Great Aunts & Uncles, several Aunts & Uncles, Cousins and friends.

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