Betty “Paulette” Riste, age 69, of Athens, died Wednesday May 31, 2017 at her home. Paulette was born February 17, 1948 in Grand Rapids and came to Battle Creek as a child. Paulette attended Battle Creek Schools. Paulette was a dedicated foster Mother and helped many children. She had also been employed by Wal-Mart and K Mart as well as operating a yarn shop, out of her home. Paulette was very creative and enjoyed crafts of every kind; she also loved gardening and bird watching. Paulette’s favorite times were spent at home with her loving family. She is survived by her husband Jerry Riste, daughters, Kim (Fred) Edwards of Battle Creek , Kalanna (Jared) Olney of Bellevue, Faith Cousins of Otsego, MI, Britney Cousins of Battle Creek, , Nikita (Russell) Seaver, of San Diego, CA, Nichol (Jerry) Skaggs, of Holland, Michigan, Kaila Cousins of Battle Creek, Ondrea (Jason) Rhoades of Battle Creek, Tonia Riste, of Battle Creek, and Tina Dahlem of Jackson, Michigan, sons, Justin (Melinda) Riste, of Battle Creek, Scott Tarter of Kentucky, and Tony Cousins, of Kalamazoo, sisters, Darcy Porter, of Grand Rapids Linda (Emmett) Caraway of Battle Creek, Joy Sauers of Battle Creek, Kim Froman of Grand Rapids, brothers, Danny Woodrum of Oxford, Georgia, Leon McLain of Summerville, FL. Keith (Marie) Woodrum of Grand Rapids, Charles “Mike” Ake of Grand Rapids, Franny Woodrum of Alabama, and Ron (Jenny) Lind of Richland, MI, 24 grandchildren and one great grandchild. Paulette was preceded in death by her parents Eva and Frances Woodrum, sister Carol Toppel, brother, Jimmy Woodrum and a son Jerry Cousins.