Christine Yvette Graham

Christine Graham, 61, of Chesterfield County, passed away on July 23rd. She was the daughter of Michael and Anne Holmes. She was born on August 28, 1963, and was baptized at Samaria Baptist Church. She was a member of the Chickahominy Tribe. She attended Charles City High School, where she was a member of the choir and cheer team, and played clarinet in the marching band. She graduated in 1981, in the top 10 of her class. She attended VCU briefly, and later enrolled at Centura College, earning her LPN degree in 2016. She had her first child, Alaina, in 1985, whom she raised as a single mother until reconnecting with Bill Graham. She married Bill in 1990 and moved to Chesterfield. She then had her second child, Gordon, in 1996. She divorced Bill in 2006. She worked her whole life at many jobs-including nursing, banking, retail, and fast food-doing anything to provide for her family and loved ones. She was a dedicated mother and community member. She often volunteered at her children's school while working as a single mother. She welcomed multiple family members and friends into her home when they needed a roof over their heads. She was a mother to many more than just her children. She enjoyed cooking, singing, reading, good stories, and spending time with family. In 2016, she accomplished her career goal of becoming a nurse. She loved her job. She was a natural caretaker and always made sure people felt safe and loved. She worked in multiple care settings, including rehab, hospice, and home care. She was also a grandmother to three beautiful grandchildren and was just as dedicated as a grandmother as she was a mother. She constantly instilled a strong sense of morality in her children and grandchildren. She always stood up for what was right and for people who needed help. Her greatest strength was her love and empathy-teaching everyone to be a little kinder and to listen instead of talk. She was preceded in death by her sister, Cherie Holmes. She is survived by her two children, Alaina and Gordon; her grandchildren, Jerimiah, Joelle, and Laia; her parents, Michael and Anne; and her siblings, Connie and Mike. A memorial service will be held at 12 p.m. on Monday, August 11th, at Samaria Baptist Church, 8130 Lott Cary Road. In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made to the Chickahominy Tribe in her memory. A repass will be held at the Chickahominy Tribal center following the graveside service. ________________________________________ One night I dreamed a dream. As I was walking along the beach with my Lord, across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life. For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand- one belonging to me and one to my Lord. After the last scene of my life flashed before me, I looked back at the footprints in the sand. I noticed that at many times along the path of my life, especially at the very lowest and saddest times, there was only one set of footprints. This really troubled me, so I asked the Lord about it. "Lord, you said that once I decided to follow You, You'd walk with me all the way. But I noticed that during the saddest and most troublesome times of my life, there was only one set of footprints. I don't understand why, when I needed You the most, You would leave me." He whispered, "My precious child, I love you and will never leave you- never, ever, during your trials and testings. When you saw only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."