Jacqueline (Jackie) Rae Christians, 63, of Fayetteville, NC, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on July 27th, 2017, after fighting the good fight of faith at Chapel Hill’s UNC Hospital for several weeks. She was born December 24th, 1953, in Klemme, IA, to Raymond and Marjorie (Pierce) Christians. She married Gerald Joseph Van Loan on May 4th, 1973, and they were married until Gerald “Jerry” passed away in 1993. Jackie gave her heart to the Lord on March 10th, 1977.
Jackie was a long-time resident of Fayetteville, NC, and had also lived in Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Guatemala since leaving her childhood state of Iowa where she had lived in the towns of Klemme, Garner, and Williamsburg.
She earned her bachelor’s degree as a registered nurse through Missouri Southern State University when she was in her late 30’s and served faithfully as an RN for much of her life. Eventually Jackie began working as a Hospice nurse and found great fulfillment in helping families with terminally ill loved ones. She also gained her instructor’s license in cosmetology in the early 1980’s and enjoyed training and helping others. Jackie was truly a “jack-of-all-trades” and a “master-of-many”! Her various avenues of employment also included being a cake decorator at a local Garner bakery, roofing houses with the family construction business, and owning/operating a beauty salon and cosmetology school. A highlight of her life was the period in which she and her husband served as missionaries in Guatemala during the mid-80’s. Jackie also served in many other areas of church activities to include working with children through the Pathlighter’s program while living in Joplin, MO.
One would be hard-pressed to find a more creative and talented person! Painting, decorating, sewing, macramé, knitting, crocheting, sketching, building miniatures, cake decorating, etc., these are only a few of the areas wherein Jackie was gifted. Although all of the aforementioned are very remarkable, it is very evident that her greatest attribute was loving well and in return being well loved.
Surviving are Jackie’s father and step-mother, Raymond and Julie Christians of Branson, MO; two daughters, Holly Hallesy and Heidi Van Loan, both of Fayetteville, NC; seven grandchildren: Joseph, Lukas, Emily, Hannah, Oliver, Talya, and Sean; three sisters: Kathy (Mark) Rayhons of Garner, IA, Shawn (Keith) Minnis of Norman, OK, and Lisa (Bryan) Fragas of Raleigh, NC; two brothers: Steve (Rebecca) Christians of Bentonville, AR, and Jeff (Cindy) Christians of Joplin, MO; and a host of aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, cousins, and beloved friends.
Preceding her in death were Jackie’s husband, Gerald Van Loan; mother, Marjorie (Pierce) Christians; and two infant children, Joseph and Heidi.
There will be services held at two different locations: 1) Celebration of Life Memorial Service, Wednesday, August 2nd, 12:00 PM, at Cliffdale Christian Center, Fayetteville, NC, and 2) Celebration of Life Service at Parker Mortuary, Joplin, MO, Friday, August 4th, 10:00 AM (viewing), 10:30 AM (service), followed by interment at Osborne Memorial Cemetery in Joplin, MO.
Memorial Contributions may be made to Changing Stats, Inc, which will disperse monies to help offset costs and assist Jackie’s daughters and grandchildren during this time of bereavement. Checks may be made to Changing Stats (which is a 501c3) and sent to 6640 Professor St., Raleigh, NC, 27616, or online giving may be done at www.standingforfreedom2015.com/memorial.
From the entire family, we are so thankful for your love, care, prayers, and thoughts during this time. We are rejoicing that Jackie is walking the streets of Heaven with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, so we do not say, “Good-bye,” yet we say, “Until we meet again, and WE LOVE YOU!!!”
No comments:
Post a Comment