Christine M. Whitehead
May 29, 1946 - November 28, 2012
Obituary
LIFE EPITOME
Christine Maria (Massey) Whitehead was born May 29, 1946 to the union of John and Mattiel Massey in Seattle, Washington. She attended Seattle Public Schools and graduated from Garfield High School.
Christine was a straight A student and was always a group leader. In high school she was very popular and voted most likely to succeed.
Christine retired from the Federal Aviation Administration in December 2011 after working for the Federal Government for over 30 years. She received a job promotion while employed with the Internal Revenue Service in 1984, that moved her and her family to Reno, Nevada. She then moved to Las Vegas, Nevada where she made a home and an abundance of friends and “family”.
Christine was baptized, accepted Jesus as her personal savior, and committed her life to God at a young age, then while in Las Vegas she attended Victory Missionary Baptist Church and rededicated her life to Christ. She began her own personal ministry as part of Wellspring Ministries, in Las Vegas, NV in 1998. Christine was a loyal member of Trinity Christ Memorial Baptist Church in Seattle, under the leadership of Pastor Wilson L. Barnes. She loved her church and was very dedicated and active in many different roles. Among them, she served as Associate Minister, Treasurer, Sunday School Teacher, Bible Study Teacher, and an active participant in many other areas.
Helping people was a passion of hers and she lent a hand whenever and wherever she could. Christine touched many lives throughout the world and brought comfort and peace to many. She participated in numerous mission trips, including traveling to China, Africa, and the Philippines. She would often take bibles to distribute.
Christine was very active in the community. She was often the keynote speaker at the IRS & FAA Black History Programs, the Black Employees Program Manager for the IRS, Court Appointed CASA advocate, a well known specialist on civil rights issues, and she also received several awards and acknowledgements throughout the years.
Christine was preceded in death by her loving husband, William Whitehead, her father John Massey, Sr., her mother Mattiel Massey, her brother John “Jackie” Massey, and her niece Kristina Lyn Clark.
She will be remembered with deep love and affection by her daughter Chrystal Walker, her son Damon Sanders, her granddaughters Tatiana Sanders and Nevaeh Christine Sanders; her sister Alma Clark (Massey) and niece Anita “Chici” Whitfield, both from Seattle, WA; her Godchildren Shanola Prosser, DeChe Washington, Jada Rogers, and JaMar Taylor, all from Seattle, WA and Shermita Lewis from Tulsa, OK; adopted nieces, nephews, sons, daughters, sisters, brothers, and grandchildren, as well as a host of beloved and treasured relatives and friends.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Christine Whitehead Memorial Fund at Trinity Christ Memorial Baptist Church, 702-19th Ave E., Seattle, WA 98122.
Amazing teacher and Auntie.
I’ll never forget what I’ve learned from you.
See you when I get to heaven.
My heart and condolences for the family, we really lost a good person! I shall mourn with you for she brought a special light into my life!
I am sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. I send strength and blessings to you and your family during this time of need. Love you Chrys!!
I am so sorry for your loose. I will continue to hold you and your family in prayer….
So many things I can say about my Auntie. You could see God in this woman from a mile away. Her wisdom and knowledge went above and beyond what I could ever imagine for myself. I can still hear her voice… those sweet sounds of encouragement and motivation still warm my heart. I thank her for being apart of my life, and sharing her walk with Christ with me. I wish we could of had more talks, I still have so many questions about this journey to heaven. But I guess I’ll save them for when I get up there. I love you more than life Auntie, you will be missed.
Blessed and highly favoured woman of God that is who Mrs Christine is and was a beautiful women of God! She will never be forgotten and always in our memories.
May the God of all Comfort continue to comfort her family and friends. I pray that the peace of God will rule in your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
God Bless you all and know there is no distance in the spirit. I love you all forever!
I love you grandma. You are missed dearly. I thank you for all you have done for me. Thank you for introducing me to God. I know he will never leave me and neither will you. I love you forever and ever. As much as I wanted you to stay here on earth with me, I know this isn’t where you need to be. I will see you again one day. Thank you for everything. I love you, rest in peace grandma!!!
RIP Christine
Thank you aunt Christine for being an example of what a successful,well educated, hard working, God fearing woman looks like. You have paved the way and set the standard for me. I can remember being young and always remembering “aunt Christine don’t play that” and that’s how I will remember you. I hope to one day strike that same fear but respect in my family,I love you always will. May you rest well and keep a eye on us my angel
Christine where to i start. Thanks for everythng u have done for our family comn in at a time when we needed u most and taken on like a mother for my mom (shermita lewis) and being likea grandmother to me and helpn cum up with names for my kids. U will be truley blessed u r n a better place now rest peacefully see u when i get there. Tell my grandma brenda bell aka bj. We love her and miss her and i knw u too will be watch over us. Love shermeka anmd tha tulsa ok family
Auntie you will be truly missed by me and everyone else that was blessed to have you in their life. I know you, uncle William and Nana are all together watching over us now. I love you and may you Rest in Peace!
Your smile, your laugh, your encouraging words, your ministering words will truly be missed but know they are installed within. Kiss my Granny for me & tell her her FRYSTAL la la la loves her. Love you Momma Christine
Auntie Fristine!!! This could take all day:) I love you sooooo much.. for EVERYTHING. I know that you knew that.. but I am so glad I got a chance to tell you in March. Thank you for loving me for the past 33 years.. thank you for all of my butt whoopins that you gave me.. and for telling me “you KNOW that I knew better!” Thank you for sharing your home with me and your beautiful children… Oh yeah, and thank you for not whooping the snot out of me when I carved my name in your beautiful hutch! Your name is FOREVER carved in my heart. I love you ..and I will see you again “JJ Rivers”
Rest in Peace!
RIP you will forever be remembered.
Christine was always a ‘Ray of Sunshine’ full of life and hope in Christ Jesus. It was fun growing up with her and Church family. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her, especially the Olivers. Our prayers are with the family. Be encouraged. We love you all! We are as close to you as your telephone. John and Isabell Oliver/Family
Christine would always make me smile some way somehow. It has been quite a while the last time I saw her in person. She was very Funny and Wise. Most of the Women Elders in my Life have that naturally along with that strong love bond unconditionally for family and friends. Auntie Christine was one of them. I’m so glad to have had her in my life. Peace and Blessing.
Trina B.: Love, Life, Music and Color.
t’s the little things, the small, everyday occurrences that you’ll remember. The laughs, the stories, the smiles. it is these very memories that will help push the pain away and bring back the smiles.
Continue living your life and keep Christine’s memory alive through everyday events. Christine would have wanted that, and expected nothing less from you, Damon and the rest the family. Peace.
When we met we clicked like we have known each other for a lifetime you are a light that guides me in my future to be a better person to other and self RIP you will be missed
A wonderfull women where…Love you so much!
Auntie Christine you will be missed but never forgotten may you REST IN PARADISE! Love always Vavida
Auntie Christine!!! The last time we hugged you told me life changing words of wisdom that I will forever cherish. I praise God for your life & for Him allowing such a jewel of a gift to be in my life. I’ll cherish your wisdom & love. RIP & I’ll see you again in Heaven! Praying for family!
You have been apart of the lives of my family and I since I was a little girl. You have walked with us not only in prayer, but you have held our hands through some of our hardest times. Thank you for always being a God fearing Woman who showed others how to praise through the storms…Heaven has TRULY received an Angel.
You have been blessed with a mom who will continue to guide you from beyond. What she gave you in life will continue in her after-life…………..that is how strong Christine is. As you move forward and meet earthly challenges, her sage advice and support will be with you.
Auntie, I love u so much and thank you for everything you have done for me and my family….
Rest sweetly in the Lord Aunt Christine! You will be missed, but I rejoice that heaven is your reward.
Christine,
You always brightened my life each time I spoke with you. He were patient and a great help in my time of need and ever since. I remember the first time I called you, and knew that I had made a new good friend. I will always cherish your laugh and smile. Your family has a great legacy to look to for an example of a truly Christian Lady! May the good Lord bless and keep you ’til we meet again. God bless your family in this time of sorrow. Your friend, Mel
One always felt the light and love of the Lord in Christine’s presence. She will hear His voice, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” May her family take comfort in her faith and the promise of the resurrection.
Christine was a kindred spirit to me through her years at FAA. Always warm, sincere, and a true and gracious friend. Her passing is a huge loss to all of us on earth, but I firmly believe God has greater plans for her in His kingdom. She is now in a place where she has perfect wisdom, and all of her questions and mysteries are revealed. I pray for God’s blessings, love, and guidance to all of her family and friends.
I am blesssed to have had the opportunity to tell her I love her several times before she retired, and for that I am thankful.
Christine, I have never had a better work friend than you. I will miss you dearly, and all of our many chats in your office. I hope you are with William now and that Heaven is all you thought it would be. Thanks for all the time I did get to spend with you. I am grateful for that.
I will always remember and miss her quiet smile.
Christine I will for ever remember you. Thanks for everything you did for me and may your soul rest in eternal peace.
Christine is one of the people that I recall growing up who I admired for her positive caring and loving personality and concern for young people. She took the time to talk with us and speak into our lives about what we were doing right and what we were doing wrong and what we could do better without exception. She lived in the moment always available when you needed someone listen or to talk to. This and her smile has left a lasting impression for me that I will not soon forget. I will miss her diearly. I know her family and church family are smiling in heaven. Give Mom and Dad a BIG HUG for me!!!!
Sister Whitehead, you were always there when I needed to talk. Thank you for being my friend.
You will be missed.
Heavenly and Mahogany!
You will always be in my heart of hearts, Auntie Christine. You gave us so much love, wisdom and so much strength. I love you always, and Chrystal, Damon and Tatiana and the whole family and will continue to lift up the family in prayer!!!
Its funny but real, how for a long time when I was a child I never new your name was jus christine,,sense i had the privilege as a baby to be blessed with your motherly love an guardianship I only new you as “mommachristine”..you have been one of the greater lights of my life encompassing me in the right direction when im lost.your wise tutelage an words will forever be with me.. my GODmother my TT my mommachristine love you always!…
I will never forget your beautiful smile, your wonderful sense of humor and that infectious laugh. You always amazed me at how “practical” you were in trying to make sure you helped whoever it was you were wotking with get whatever they needed done done……and as easily as possible for that other person. That way of thinking ……..thinking of others ………is a way of living few employ today…….and I always appreciated it. If I could try to emulate you in my life….that would be the lesson I would take from you.
I consider myself blessed to have called you my friend. I only wish I could have seen you one last time before you left. But I guess God has other, bigger plans for you now.
May you rest in peace.
I will miss you very much.
Christine – I will never forget all the laughs we shared at FAA and how you helped everyone who needed assistance. You always went way out of your way to make sure everyone was taken care of. You were a friend to everyone, a very special person… thank you for being my friend – my condolences to your family – rest in peace Christine, Love, Nancy
My life was truly blessed to be able to call Christine my friend and sister. Words cannot express how much I will miss our talks, her laugh, and her wise counsel. My comfort is in knowing we will meet again someday. Rest in peace, dear friend.
I met Christine through work. We worked together in the Office of Civil Rights. She worked out of Renton, WA and I was in Los Angeles, CA. She was hardworking, the team expert and very helpful to everyone in our office. We continued to keep in touch after her retirement. She always gave me good advice and was there for me through difficult moments. I always knew I could count on her and trust her because she was a good friend. Even though we were miles apart, it didn’t feel that way. I’m proud to have known her and call her my friend. God bless her. May she rest in peace.
I know God has a plan for everything and I believe that Christine was one of his best plans: “To show the world the right way!” I will miss my friend.
Hi Chrissy,
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your MOM I know she was your Rock and also taught you to Make GOD your Rock! Which I see the evidence of every time I hear from you.
Please know that you and your family are in my prayers, even though we don’t hang out like we used to you’re still loved and thought of as my litte firey sister.
Luv Ya!
Pamela G.
Christine is an inspiration to me in how she was always gracious, fair, willing to help, and ready to laugh. I loved her laugh! She made work fun – not everyone has that gift. I miss her.
How do I say goodbye to a friend and “mom” who was always by my side with the best advice and love anyone could give. My dear friend, could make everything seem so clear, could say the hard things and still make people laugh, and could just sit with anyone needing an ear. Chrystal, Damon and Tatiana — she loved you so much. Thank you for sharing her with us.
Love you my friend.
I am so saddened to hear about Chris0’s passing, She was a good friend. We worked together for several years, traveled together, and laughed together. I will miss her.
It wasn’t that long ago we met. I arrived at the wrong building for my interview with the FAA. You were kind enough to take me to the right building. It showed me how strong and kind you were. I was so happy to here about your retirement, for all of the years of dedication, it was well deserved. I am sad to hear of your passing but glad you’re in a better place. I’m glad we met! Rest Easy! Tandra
My condolences to the family. May “the God of all comfort ” be with you during your time of sorow. 2Cor. 1:3
I just heard of your loss and you have my sincere condolences. I met Christine through work and the DBE program. She so reminded me of my kindergarten teacher and was such a professional at all times. May you find comfort in your many memories.