Public Service

In 2000 Mary became the fifth recipient of the Gwinnett Community Foundation Award for Community Leadership and Philanthropy. She was honored for donating time and money to the Gwinnett Fine Arts Center as well as donating one of her favorite collages. She was also recognized for her support of the Gwinnett Philharmonic Orchestra.

Although David considered himself a farmer and cattleman he contributed considerable time to many activities that improved his country and community. He was also considered a national leader in formulating programs for water and soil conservation practices and played a role in the founding of the local Natural Resources Conservation Service Commission. Other public service activities:

- National Public Advisory Committee on Soil and Water Conservation for Secretary of Agriculture
- President of the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce for two years in the 1960s.
- Arranged for the UGA Institute of Government to study and recommend structural changes to Gwinnett County government organizations.
- Industrial Development Authority
- Chairman of the United Way Advisory Board that later named The Sheltering Arms day-care facility The David H Kistner Day Care Center.
- Served on the Boards of Directors of Walton Electric Membership Corporation from 1975 through 1987 and the Gwinnett Federal Credit Union.