Mary Taylor Christian

1924 - 2019

Educator and politician Mary Taylor Christian was born on August 9, 1924 in Hampton, Virginia. Her mother was a homemaker and her father was a businessman. In 1941 she earned her high school diploma from Phenix High School in Hampton where she was a member of the National Honor Society, basketball, drama, debate teams and Homecoming Queen.

While working in the laundry at Hampton University she began taking typing courses and eventually landed a secretarial job at the University. She was encouraged by her mentor to further her studies and earned her Bachelor of Science degree in education in 1955. From 1955 until 1960 she worked as a teacher at Hampton city schools. During the summers she attended Columbia University, where she earned her Masters degree in Speech and Drama in 1960. In 1968 she earned her PhD from Michigan State University while working as a professor at Hampton University. In 1968 Christian helped organize a voter registration drive at Hampton which resulted in more than a thousand people registering to vote.

In 1980 she was named the Dean of Hampton's school of education. She was also appointed to the Board of Trustees at Cornell University. Dr. Christian was the first African American to serve on the Hampton City School Board. She worked as a campaign manager for four political candidates and in 1985 decided to take the plunge into politics herself. In 1986 she was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates and became the first African American since reconstruction to represent the state's 92nd district, the city of Hampton.

Dr. Christian served seven terms in the Virginia General Assembly where she championed legislation on education, healthcare and prescription drugs. Christian was among three African Americans appointed to the powerful House Appropriations Committee. She also served on the Education and Rules Committees.

Christian, affectionately known by her thousands of students as "Dr. C" is professor emeritus at Hampton University. She is the recipient of numerous awards for her community and humanitarian service.

Dr. Christian was a life-long member of First Baptist Church of Hampton and a Golden Life member of the Hampton Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority Inc., was a lifetime member of the Hampton Branch NAACP and numerous other organizations.

Dr. Christian leaves to cherish her memory her husband, Wilbur "Chuck" Christian: two daughters: Benita Toler (Garvis, Jr.) of Burke, VA and Carolyn Taylor of Hampton, VA; one sister: Madeline Lee (Richard, Sr.) of Camarillo, CA: daughter-in-love: Alease "Tootie" Taylor: nine grandchildren: Cheryl Smith (Alan), James Taylor (Anita), Ryan Taylor, Maria Velissaris (James), Darren Toler, Garvis Toler III, Steven Morris, Warnette Morris, and Angela Francis: ten great-grandchildren: Alan, II, James, Jr., Jordan, Garvis, IV, Grace, Adam, Anthony, Devyne, Alecia, Du'Wuane, and Dezire, and a host of beloved nieces and nephews (including Henry and Darkesha whom she cared for and raised) relatives, special friends, and colleagues.

Dr. Christian was preceded in death by her parents, John and Viola Robinson: her son, James E. Taylor: her sisters Viola Brown, Lillian Chatman: her brother, John Robinson.

The family will receive guests from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Sunday, November 17, 2019 at First Baptist Church Hampton, 229 N. King Street Hampton, Virginia.

A Delta Sigma Theta, Omega Omega service will be held 10:00 a.m. Monday, November 18, 2019 at the Hampton University Convocation Center, 700 Emancipation Dr, Hampton, Virginia.

Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, November 18, 2019 at the Hampton University Convocation Center by Dr. Richard Wills.

Interment will follow at the Hampton University Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the Barrett- Peake Heritage Foundation.

The family of the late Dr. Mary T. Christian has entrusted her final care to the staff at C.C. Carter Funeral Home, Inc.