WOODVILLE – Mandy Kraus Risinger, who served as Woodville’s city administrator for 14 years, died last Thursday, following a battle with cancer at the age of 54.
Friends and colleagues spoke of Risinger’s wealth of knowledge and willingness to serve, following her passing.
“Mandy’s knowledge was unbeatable,” said former city secretary Terri Bible.
“Anything that you could throw at her she had already experienced, or she knew how to handle it. This has affected everybody, not just the office girls, it has affected the warehouse guys tremendously, they are unsettled. You walk in that door, that’s the first office you see, and when her stuff is gone and there’s nothing in there, they (office staff) have to take the time to adjust to her being gone.”
Woodville mayor Amy Bythewood called a special council meeting for last Friday, August 1 to discuss the employment of an assistant administrator.
At the meeting, which had been called prior to Risinger’s passing, Bythewood said the meeting was no longer necessary, but discussion opened to find a successor.
“I will find somebody who knows how to do this job just as quickly as I can; the most important thing for me is the city moving forward,” Bythewood said.
During the discussion, which occasionally took an emotional turn, Bythewood said the city needed someone in the city administrator office who is not only qualified, but also able to work with other city employees, and added that the appointment was hers to make, but ultimately a decision to be made by the council.
Bible, who had been retired from the city secretary position since February, said Risinger had recently reached out to her about some possible assistance with her job.
“Sweet Mandy, when she was in the hospital, she was worried about the (city) budget. So, even at that point, which I talked to her right before she went in the hospital (the final time), and I told her that I would come up and we would get it done,” Bible said.
Bible recounted that conversation, and said she’d told her that between the two of them and city secretary Danita Skinner inputting information, it would not be a problem, but she said Risinger confided in her that she was at the point where she needed some help in her office.
“Even in her darkest moments, knowing what was going to happen, she was still thinking about the city,” Bible said.
‘Servant-leader exemplified’
During remarks at a standing-room-only service held for Risinger on Sunday at Woodville Methodist Church, Rev. Doug Wintermute recalled Risinger as “a servant-leader exemplified,” and said her attention to detail and organization was impeccable, even down to the details of her funeral, which she’d planned out.
Bythewood said of the service that “It was humbling to watch hundreds of people line up in the heat to pay their respects. Mandy was my friend and just so much more. I’m saddened for her family, my community, and my city for the loss of the lady who took care of us. I was grateful to have the unity of our city in the church to hear her last message to us, we love you, Mandy.”
Risinger, who was appointed to her position for the city in February of 2011, served in that role until her passing, and before that, she was the city administrator for the city of Corrigan, from 2002-2011.
She was heavily involved in various organizations in Woodville and Tyler County.
She served on the Dogwood Festival board of directors in various roles and took over as the festival’s Executive Director in 2023 and held that position until late in 2024, when her health mandated that she step down.
She served on the governing board of the Allan Shivers Library and Museum; the Tyler County Hospital Board; Tyler County VFD Women’s Auxiliary; the Woodville Woman’s Reading Club and the Tyler County Chamber of Commerce, in addition to various other civic and government advisory boards.
She was a member of Woodville Methodist Church and was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star in Corrigan and Groveton.
When news of Risinger’s passing hit the community, many paid tribute on social media. Pct #4 Commissioner Buck Hudson, whom Risinger succeeded as the Dogwood Festival Executive Director, wrote “We worked together for many years in Dogwood as well as county government. She was always my go to person as so easy to talk with. When I turned my duties as Executive Director to Mandy, I knew it would be in good hands. I handed her a symbolic Dogwood branch as we changed positions. My heart breaks for her family. See you on the other side my friend.”
The Allan Shivers Library and Museum shared the following, via social media: “The Allan Shivers Library and Museum mourns the passing of Mandy Risinger, City Administrator for Woodville and long-time Governing Board member and supporter of the ASLM. Her contributions were always valuable, and will have a lasting impact on the ASLM legacy. Our thoughts are with Mandy’s family, friends, the city of Woodville, and Tyler County during this sad time. She will be greatly missed by all.”
Warren High School agriculture teacher and former county extension agent Jacob Spivey wrote: “ As a Christian, I believe that the greatest thing we can do for our Creator is to serve and love others like He would. Having a servant’s heart and caring more about others than we care about ourselves is the most sincere form of worship I can imagine. Nobody I know worshipped like Mandy. Always looking to help others and truly a lover of her community and her fellow man. The world and my heart are better places because she was in them, and I will miss her frequently especially when I’m needing advice.”
