Lola Christie

Lola Christie, 89, of Visalia passed away Friday, August 13, 2010. Lola was born on June 2, 1921, at the family homestead near Clayton, New Mexico. Her family moved to Ivanhoe when she was three years old. She spoke fondly of her childhood; family and friends were often entertained as she shared memories of her early years. Lola graduated from Visalia Union High School and the College of Sequoias, later returning to become a Licensed Vocational Nurse and she served as president of the LVN League of Tulare County. Lola loved working with children and volunteered her time for many years to organizations that promote good values and character in youth. She was a 25-year member of the Parent Teachers Association, serving as president at Carrie Barnett, Highland and Redwood High School. Redwood presented her with an honorary lifetime membership. She was an assistant Brownie Scout Leader and was the Den Mother for the Cub Scouts. Lola also had a passion for sharing her faith as demonstrated by her service as a founding board member of the Christian Women's Club. She loved to share Jesus with neighborhood children by organizing and teaching weekly Good News Clubs in her home. Lola also served as chairperson for the Tulare County Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF). Her CEF float was an annual fixture in the fair parade and she coordinated and was ever present at a face-painting booth at the fair where she shared the salvation story. Lola has been a member of the Parkside Chapel, a Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, since 1958. She loved the church and her family rarely missed a service. Lola lived her faith by teaching Sunday School classes, serving in women's groups, coordinating vacation bible schools, writing and directing church plays, and always lending a hand to someone in need. In the mid-1970's she expanded her ministry to children to include a growing Asian population. She became much loved by those she served. She also volunteered for several local charitable organizations. It would be a disservice to describe Lola without mention of the unwavering patriotism she felt for her country. She was immensely proud of her husband's service to his country during World War II and that both of her sons served in the Marine Corp. Further, she never missed serving on an election board over a span of 50+ years. Lola met her husband of 53 years, Marvin Christie, while he was working at Redbanks. They were married in 1941. Marvin passed away in 1994. Lola was preceded in death by her parents, George and Ethel Coffee and her brother, Findley Coffee. She is survived by five children; Judy Raessler of Prescott, Arizona; Kenneth Christie of San Jose, California; Joetta Chrissakis of Dallas, Oregon; Bobbi Hutchins of Tulare, CA; and Jeff Christie of Visalia, CA. She is also survived by her sisters, Frances Hauenstein of Kingsburg and Donna Symons of Badger. She was an amazing grandmother to her thirteen grandchildren and would spend hours with them tubing down the St. John River, playing games on her living room floor, or discovering and catching bugs and critters wherever they may be. She is also survived by twelve great grandchildren and several nephews and nieces. Visitation 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, August 18, 2010 at Salser and Dillard Funeral Chapel, Visalia. Services will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, August 19, 2010, at Parkside Chapel, followed by a reception at the church. Burial at Visalia District Cemetery. The family requests any donations be directed to the missions fund at Parkside Chapel, 3200 East Walnut Ave., Visalia, CA. Condolences may be e-mailed to salseranddillard@aol.com