Virginia Wood Christopher

Virginia Wood Christopher, 88, of Beaumont, Texas passed away on January 30, 2014 in Boerne, Texas.

Memorial service will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church, 3430 Harrison Avenue, Beaumont, Texas on Saturday, February 15, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. A reception will follow the service in the church parlor.

Virginia was born on March 18, 1925 in Beaumont to Ella Mae and Herbert Wesley Wood. She was raised on Highland Avenue, close to South Park High School—where she was voted “Class Favorite” all four years. In 1941, she met a handsome gentleman, Rolfe Christopher, whom she married on June 6, 1942. Together, Rolfe and Virginia raised three athletic and competitive boys, Craig, Gary and Todd. They operated Christopher Studio, a successful photography business, recording the life, times and people of Southeast Texas. A stalwart in the South Park community, Virginia was renowned for her hospitality. Her kitchen was always bustling; her table always welcoming.

Virginia enjoyed a long career in banking, serving as a Vice President. She also started a travel club, Gen’s travels, where she organized trips all over the world. She was involved in many community organizations including the Neches River Festival, PTA, March of Dimes, the Beaumont Symphony League, and countless others.

Virginia, known by her grandchildren, as “Gen Gen”, had a zeal for life and a love for people. She never met a stranger and went out of her way to welcome everyone.

Virginia is preceded in death by her parents, one brother and two sisters, her husband of 49 years, Rolfe, two of her sons, Rolfe Craig and Todd Dennis Christopher, and grandsons, Wes and Austin Christopher. Survivors include her son Gary Wesley Christopher and his wife, Cheryl, of Spring Branch, Texas and their children: Monty Todd Christopher and his wife, Holly, of Beaumont, Molly Christopher Watson and her husband, Davis, of Bryan. Other grandchildren include Christina Christopher Hand and her husband, Tom, Virginia “Ginger” Christopher Wright and her husband, Charles, all of Houston; Yancy Clete Christopher of Tucson, and their mother Brenda Manes of New York; Clayton Craig Christopher and his wife, Carly, of Austin, Zachary Todd Christopher and his wife, Nadege, of Boise, Idaho and their mother, Charissa Wells of Boerne; Rachel Christopher of Whitefish, Nebraska, Grant Michael Christopher of Dallas and their mother Michele Allen of Plano; 10 great-grandchildren; as well as many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Rolfe Christopher Scholarship Fund at Lamar University Box 11500, Beaumont, Texas 77710 or the Alzheimer’s Association, 700 North St., Suite M, Beaumont, Texas 77701.