It is with great sadness that the family of Edith âEdieâ Christy announces her passing on Sunday, December 3, 2017 in Sugar Grove, at the age of 89. Our dear, sweet mother has left this world, yet we are confident she is now dancing in heaven.
Born September 24, 1928, to Osville and Mary Risner of Carey, Ohio, Edie was a graduate of Vanlue High School, attended Bowling Green State University and also worked in the office of Findlay Hospital in Findlay, Ohio. In 1948 she traveled south to Amanda to work at the office of Dr. F.C. Ayers. She fell in love with the rolling hills of Fairfield County, and while at a street dance that summer, also fell in love with and captured the heart of her future husband, Wendell. They married in 1949 and were blessed with 53 years together and four children including Vickie (Tom) Davis of Athens, Lisa Miller of Blacklick, Philip (Amy) Christy of Harrod and Joanie (F.M.) Achor of Dayton. Edie retired after many years of working alongside our father at the Clearcreek Valley Banking Company in Amanda. One of our motherâs favorite expressions throughout her life was, âLetâs do something!â and that she did. She was always on the move with boundless energy. She had always wanted to be a teacher; she didnât realize just how much she was teaching her children by example every day. Our mother taught us compassion, by carrying many home-cooked meals down the street to our elderly or sick neighbors. She taught us about faith, as we sat on those hard pews beside her at St. Peterâs Lutheran Church, watching her pray and hearing her sing while holding her hand that was soft as a petal. Her gentle hands were also strong as steel it seemed, and could do so much: scrub anything clean, hang clothes on the line, knead the perfect dough, swing a golf club, sew almost anything, even braid a horseâs tail. Her generosity was evident as she stirred and poured countless batches of her delicious peanut brittle to give as gifts, and to raise money for the O.C.C.L. She taught us resourcefulness as we tramped along with her through antique shops and country estate sales, seeking out that special piece. And after hours of scraping and sanding, she knew exactly how to restore that rough castoff back to gleaming brilliance. Always with a stack of books by her chair, Mom was an avid reader, teaching us the value of the written word and education. She taught Sunday School and tutored young readers at the elementary school. She worked, tirelessly it seemed, to keep an impeccable home and yard for her family. Mother taught us to appreciate the outdoors as we learned how to weed, plant, and tend to the nature she loved so much. She marveled at its beauty with trips to the ocean, walks through Amanda, or bike rides to the covered bridge. She also taught us that after hard work comes time for fun. Mom was so appreciative of any time spent with her family, and weâd hear her exclaim, âI feel like dancinâ!â and she would. She enjoyed shopping adventures, golf outings at the Pickaway Country Club, bridge games with friends, birthday parties on the front porch, and football - especially the
Aces and Buckeyes. But she was definitely her childrenâs biggest fan, always cheering us on during lifeâs game with optimism, love, enthusiasm, and laughter. Now she can rest, and then get up and dance with Daddy!
Edie is preceded in death by her husband and parents; brother, Wyatt; sisters, Louise and Jewel; and son-in-law, Steve Miller. She is survived by her four children; grandchildren: Andrea, Ben, Lauren, Alison, Olivia, Alexandra, and Miles; great-grandchildren: Dante, Elena, Gemma, Luca, Lila, and Silas; her sister, Wanda (Vic) Reynolds, and brother, Herb Risner. Many thanks to Cindy, Michelle, Rose, and Dan, who provided such loving care for our mother as she struggled with a disease that may have hindered her memory but could never defeat her loving, happy spirit.
Friends may call from 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday, December 6, 2017 at the Taylor Funeral Home in Amanda. A family service will be held and burial will be in Amanda Twp. Cemetery.
The family request contributions to the Amanda Clearcreek Alumni Association Endowment Fund, PO Box 275, Amanda, OH 43102 in Edieâs memory.