The Newspaper of Record since 1878
Fay G. Lisk, of Top of The World, a beloved servant of the Lord, daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and friend to so many, passed away early Thursday morning, May 19, 2022 at Cobre Valley Hospital surrounded by family and friends. From the hands of loved ones, she passed to our Lord and savior Jesus Christ for an eternity of peace and rest in the company of family already in heaven.
Mattie Fay Griffay was born in Magdalena, New Mexico on May 5, 1932 to William Townsend and Julia Esterleen Griffay. She was a twin to her brother Ray Griffay.
Her parents owned various ranches across central New Mexico, which she grew up on. She was a 13-year-old child at home on their ranch some 35 miles north of the first atomic bomb test. She said she witnessed history, but at that time had no idea what exactly they had witnessed.
Fay met her husband Tommy Neil Lisk, from Mountainair, New Mexico, on a blind date.
They were married on March 19, 1955 in Socorro, New Mexico at the home place on the Griffay farm. Soon after they moved to Globe and then to Central Heights, Arizona where they set down their roots for the next 45 years to raise their family. In 2000 Fay and Tommy moved to Top of The World where they found peace and joy as they lived out their lives in a beautiful acreage she referred to as her paradise.
Their first child, Thomas Edward Lisk, was born Feb. 9, 1956. On Oct. 27, 1958 Michael Marvin Lisk was born. On June 13, 1961 Edna Fay Lisk was born. Next was Fawn Lynnette Lisk, born Oct. 18, 1964, and last was Christopher Clark (Rusty) Lisk, born June 11, 1966.
Fay faithfully made sure her children attended church at the River of Life Pentecostal Church in Central Heights throughout their raising. She set the example for the family and on July 21, 1996 her husband Tommy committed his life to our Lord Jesus Christ and was baptized. They raised their five children with all the love and devotion any parents could give.
Fay worked tirelessly at all she did, whether it was as a mother, a wife, an accountant, a member of the River of Life Pentecostal Church, a 4-H leader or in Scouting. Fay was a long-time member of the Rebekah & Odd Fellow Lodge where she and so many other lodge members shared blessings for many in our community. She was a member of the NRA and served as a gun safety instructor.
Fay had many loves, but faith and family were always present unto her last breath. Her endless giving for the benefit of others never dampened even in difficult times. She opened her heart, her home and her dinner table to countless friends and neighbors. She was an extended mother to many in our community, never too tired to make a meal at any time of the day or night or help someone in need. She found good in people even when it seemed well hidden to most. She asked for very little and always gave all she could.
Fay had several passions; cooking, sewing and 4-H scouting, but probably enjoyed the outdoors the most. Family hunting trips to Hagler Creek with the Evans family for turkey and Chevlon Canyon and Dripping Springs for deer were staples of family events. It was important for the meat provided, but mostly for the joy that was shared. Fay loved to hunt anything she could. Through the years she harvested turkeys, deer, elk, bear, antelope and in 2015 at the age of 84 she got a desert bighorn sheep. Ninety days before her birthday this year she bagged a large oryx in New Mexico with a 409-yard shot. For our families many a happy time and cherished memory came from hunts shared with our mother.
Fay was preceded in death by her husband Thomas Neil, daughter Edna Fay, father and mother William Townsend and Julia Esterleen Griffay, brother Ray Griffay, sisters Laura Bell Goodson and Audrey Goodnaugh, mother-in-law Maud Lisk and aunt Millie Clark.
Fay is survived by her daughter Fawn Lynnette and sons Thomas Edward/Diane, Michael/Corina and Christopher (Rusty)/Kristie along with 24 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
Services will be at the River of Life Church, 5667 E. Golden Hills Rd., Globe, Az. on Friday May 27, 2022 at 10 a.m. Viewing will be Thursday, May 26, 2022 from 5 to 7 p.m. Interment will follow at the Globe Cemetery.
Mother, we will meet with you one day soon on the streets of glory in the company of those loved and lost in the presence of our Lord our Savior Jesus Christ.
