Shirley A. Christopher

Shirley A. Christopher

On a brisk October morning, Shirley A. Christopher began her journey on earth in Akron, Ohio.

She was welcomed by her loving and devoted parents, the late Lameus Christopher, Sr. and Thelma Jackson Christopher. Following a brief stay at Akron General Hospital and four hours at Hospice of Visiting Nurse Service surrounded by her dear sister, Delores (Nathan) Campbell; her loving aunts, Dorothy O. Jackson, Annie Stills, and Edna Fitzpatrick; cousins, Elder Charles Bell, Opal Green, Karen Ford; special friend, Harry Rogers, and nurse Jody, she peacefully went home to be with the Lord as they sang hymns of the church.

Shirley, a fun loving child, attended and graduated from Robinson Elementary School and East High School. She was very active with Jr. Y-Teen, Red Cross, Sr. Y-Teen, F.H.A., Senior Committee and Advance Chorus, and was nicknamed ""chick."" She loved sports and enjoyed spending time at the Urban League where she was a member of the Girl Scout Troop. Shirley worked at the YWCA as a secretary and enrolled at the University of Akron graduating with a bachelor of science degree in elementary education. In retrospect, her childhood was pregnant with possibilities of her working with children in some capacity, including children with special needs. Her nurturing was obvious as a child. As children were born into her extended family, she was the baby sitter. Shirley and the children were mutually attracted to each other. The highlight of her college career was her student teaching experience with first graders. It was thoroughly enjoyable! One of her classmates couldn't believe she was having so much fun! Following her student teaching experience she was offered a job working in the same building, Leggett Elementary School where she was trained. Shirley and her cousin Terracita Stills Nunn relocated to Washington D.C. in 1968. She furthered her education at Catholic University Special Education, Prince George Community College, masters degree in guidance counseling from Trinity College, a masters from Maryland State Department of Education, and Prince George Community College. Shirley was a teacher at Anne Beers Elementary School, and was a Counselor at Robert Brent Elementary School and at J. Frank Dent Elementary School. Her love for children was so great that she wanted to have them visit her home town of Akron. She always inspired excellence and started her children with pen pals with the late Mrs. Carolyn Reed's students and what a wonderful experience it was for these children to spend a full day of fun visiting Akron. Shirley later worked as a special education teacher at Suitland High School, Prince George Community College, Summer School charm classes and arts and crafts. While living in Washington, D.C. Shirley was a member of Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Grainger Browning and Rev. Dr. Jo Ann Browning. Shirley was a member of the adult choir for over a decade. In addition to her teaching career Shirley was a realtor at Long & Foster Realtors, sales consultant for Bernie Schultz Realty, Realtor Realty Executives, and sales manager for Pettit & Griffin, Inc. Builder/Developer. Shirley received numerous awards. She returned to Akron following her retirement and was a member of the Arlington Church of God where she sang in the senior choir. Shirley was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Zeta Theta Omega Chapter. Shirley was one of ten charter members of Delta Pi Chapter which is located in Akron. She became a member on April 15, 1961. Delta Pi Chapter was the first black sorority formed on the campus of The University of Akron. When she lived in Washington D.C. she held membership in XI Omega Chapter. Shirley had been a AKA for 45 years.

Preceded in death by her father, Lameus Christopher, Sr.; sister-in-law, Clydie Christopher; nephews, Darrell Campbell and Anthony Christopher; maternal uncles, William Jackson, Jr., Jasper Jackson, Berman Stills; aunt, Lucille Jackson, and cousins, Brenda Kay Fitzpatrick Howard and Donna and Elijah McLin. With fond memories Shirley leaves her mother, Thelma Christopher; sister, Delores Louise (Nathan) Campbell; brother, Lameus Christopher, Jr.; aunts, Edna (Nolen) Fitzpatrick, Annie Stills, Dorothy O. Jackson and Gert Hoffman; nephews, Eric (Margaret) Campbell, Terrance (Jackie) Christopher, Aaron, Kevin, Ronald, Michael, and Gregory Christopher; nieces, Eva Christopher, Virginia Campbell, Marilyn King-Malachi (Kevin), Regina King-Williams (Curtis), Bertina King, and Carolyn King; her loving cousins, Saundra Foster, Terracita (James) Nunn, Errol (Saundra) Fitzpatrick, Renee (David) Aniere, Tracey Mobley, Lambert and Lawrence McElrath, Tammy (Dr. Aaron) Barkley, Lisa & Liana Brown, Anja Aniere, Taylor and Aaron Barkley, Errol Nolen Fitzpatrick; cousin & goddaughter, Krystal Nunn, Kimberly and Raynaldo Daniels, Jr., Kierra and Raynaldo Daniels, III, Mia (Stan) Hodge, Mia Pierce, Mathew Pierce, James Toles, Sandee Davidson, Opal Green, Elder Charles (Ceola) Bell and Elzena (James) Ward; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, Jan. 18, 2007 at 12 p.m. the Arlington Church of God, 539 S. Arlington, Akron, OH 44307, Dr. Ronald J. Fowler, Senior Pastor officiant. Calling hours 10 a.m. until time of service. AKA Ivy Beyond The Wall service will be held at 10:30 a.m., interment at Mt. Peace Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Arlington Christian Academy, 539 S. Arlington St., Akron, OH 44306, or AHOPES Senior Housing at 859 Coburn St., Akron, OH 44311 in the name of Shirley A. Christopher. Procession will form and condolences may be sent to Dorothy Jackson, 164 S. Miller Rd., Fairlawn, OH 44333.