Ava May Christopher

2003 - 2023

It is with the deepest sorrow we announce the passing of our precious daughter Ava May Christopher. Ava left us unexpectedly on July 25, 2023, after a tragic car wreck.

We knew Ava would be feisty when she demanded to enter the world backward and three weeks early on May 8, 2003. As a child, she was an epic dichotomy of shyness and a girl who knew what she wanted. She felt everything tenfold. If you hurt, Ava hurt with you and for you… and heaven help you if she was angry or hurt by you. Ava also LOVED BIG. She adored her friends, family, horse "Ozzi", calico kitty "Jazzy" as well as all of our family pets.

Ava was clever and fun, and it was always her goal to get others to laugh and smile. She excelled at performance and worked hard to grow her vocal and acting skills. Ava loved music and theater and performed in a number of local shows at the Historic Ruffin, New Day Children's Theatre, University of Memphis, and Theatre Memphis. She prepared for hours and days for each and every audition. She also enjoyed working behind the scenes as assistant director, stage-manager, dresser… anything to be involved in a show! Her dedication was no different as a barrel racer and on drill team. She knew what she wanted and would work tirelessly to achieve it, while at the same time happily cheering on her friends and their horses.

Ava loved everyone from all walks of life. She believed in acceptance, tolerance and love. She packed more love, humor, knowledge, moxie, and experiences into her short 20 years than many of us do in a much longer lifetime.

She was preparing to enter her Junior year at the University of Memphis, as a Biology major with minors in Vocal Music and Theater and Ava hoped to go to vet school after graduation.

Ava leaves a big hole in the lives of her parents Chris and Angela Christopher, sibling Kat, Grandparents Jim and Barbara Christopher, her Grandparents Debbie and Bob Mosely, Great Granny Dorthy Sturm, and a host of extended family and friends who mourn the loss of her sunshine smile and spirit.

All who knew and loved Ava are invited to attend a Celebration of her life on Sunday, August 6th at 3:00 pm, at First Baptist Church, 200 East Parkway North, Memphis, TN. Ava's family will receive friends prior to the service from 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm.

We ask everyone not to dress in mourning, please dress for a celebration of Ava. Our girl loved color, flowing skirts, jewelry and eyelashes - let's send her off in style.