Christina Anne Shanks

Christina was born in Hayward California and her family moved to Maryland soon after her birth. Christina's father died when she five years old and her mother moved the family back to Houston where she grew up. Christina's mother remarried for a short time while Christina was young and she had fond memories of her step brother, Brad.

Christina attended Houston schools from kindergarten to graduation from Scarborough High School in 1981. Christina attended Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas for her undergraduate work and went on to nursing school from there.

Christina came to faith in Jesus Christ while living in Huntsville and was baptized in a Baptist church in Huntsville. In her career as a nurse, Christina ran her employer's drug testing trials and was wined and dined by the drug companies. Christina also worked as the charge nurse for a skilled nursing hospital in north Houston.

Christina met Steve Shanks while celebrating her 32nd birthday on May 19, 1995. Christina and Steve were married exactly a year later on May 19,1996. Christina and Steve starting trying to have a family soon after they married. After trying for several years, Christina and Steve decided to adopt. Madeline Grace Shanks was born on December 22, 2000 and both Christina and Steve were in the delivery room and adopted her as a newborn baby.

Christina ended her nursing career to raise Madeline and worked hard to give Madeline the attention Christina wished she had received as a child. Christina was the kind of mother who would show up with a Happy Meal and eat lunch with Madeline when she was having a hard time in school or even show up for recess and swing with Madeline. Christina never stopped advocating for Madeline.

Christina was very creative and some of her hobbies included oil painting, making T-shirts with messages and other crafts. Christina studied her Bible for hours daily and witnessed to someone every time she left the house. Christina was smart, beautiful and very engaging. She is already sorely missed.