Christa Promise McKoy

Christa Promise McKoy

May 16, 1987 - May 7, 2025

Christa Promise McKoy was born on May 16, 1987, in Miami, Florida, to Linzsy and Portia

Harris. She entered eternal rest on the evening of May 7, 2025, at her home in Katy, Texas,

surrounded by her beloved family.

Christa was a woman of passion, purpose, and profound prayer. She lived with an unmatched

combination of grace and fire—a radiant soul whose energy was magnetic and whose laughter

and smile left a lasting imprint. A devoted wife, nurturing mother, cherished daughter,

compassionate sister, dedicated educator, and loyal friend, Christa’s life was defined by selfless

service and an unwavering dedication to empowering others to reach their highest potential.

From a young age, Christa was rooted in faith and community. She grew up under the

leadership of her grandfather, Bishop Alvin Herring, where she learned the importance of

serving others, feeding the homeless, and giving back with love. These values followed her

throughout her life. After marrying her husband, she continued her spiritual journey under the

leadership of Pastor Flo McKoy, where she actively served as a Sunday School teacher, praise

dance leader, and Vice President of the Youth Ministry.

Christa married the love of her life, Samuel McKoy Sr., on March 5, 2011, in Fort Pierce, Florida.

Together, they built a beautiful life and family, raising four extraordinary children: Destiny (18),

Promise (16), Elijah (15), and Serenity (13). Her family was her heartbeat. She was a fierce

protector, an unshakable encourager, and the unwavering foundation of her home.

Her educational accomplishments reflected her dedication to excellence. Christa earned her

Associate of Arts degree with high honors from Florida State College at Jacksonville, achieved

Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Education from Florida Memorial

University, and graduated Summa Cum Laude with her Master’s degree in Educational

Administration from Prairie View A&M University. At the time of her passing, she was preparing

to pursue her doctoral degree.

Christa found her professional calling in the classroom, where she served with honor and love at

Benjamin O. Davis Ninth Grade School in Houston, Texas. She flourished under the guidance of

her first principal, Mr. James Metcalf, and her beloved mentor, Assistant Principal Mrs. Anita

Hightower, whom she affectionately called “Mama Hightower.” Christa wore many hats during

her educational career—English teacher, IB Coordinator, cheer coach, student council advisor,

and leadership instructor—and received numerous accolades for her impact on students and

peers alike.

She also found sisterhood and strength in Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., pledging in the

spring of 2019 and later joining the graduate chapter Epsilon Tau Sigma in Houston, Texas. Her

presence within the organization was marked by dedication, joy, and a deep commitment to

service. Christa later joined the Beta Pi Chapter of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc., the first

African American business sorority, in the spring of 2021, where she only increased her passion

for community service.

Christa was a creative force. Her poetic name, “Fragile, but not like a flower—like a bomb,”

perfectly captured her essence. She leaves behind a powerful unpublished body of work known

as The Blue Book Series—a collection of poems that echo her journey, her faith, and her

revolutionary spirit.

She loved to travel—both domestically and internationally—and embraced every adventure as

an opportunity to explore beauty, culture, and joy.

Christa and her family began attending and later joined Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church under

the leadership of Dr. Marcus D. Cosby. It was there that her spiritual walk deepened even further

as she was edified through powerful teachings of the Word and an anointed music ministry that

stirred her soul. Surrounded by a vibrant family of faith, Christa found both spiritual nourishment

and renewed strength, allowing her to worship freely, grow richly, and continue pouring into

others from a place of divine grounding and joy.

In May 2024, Christa was diagnosed with stage four leiomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive

cancer. Even as her body endured unimaginable hardship, she remained a pillar of strength,

pouring into others with compassion, courage, and grace. Poetry, music and family became her

sanctuary—sources of strength that helped her endure each day with purpose.

Though her body grew weary, her spirit never faltered. She continued to dance, teach, laugh,

and love with all her heart. The mystery of how she balanced motherhood, marriage, and

education while privately battling cancer is answered only by one truth: it was the strength of

God.

Christa leaves behind her devoted husband, Samuel McKoy Sr., and their four children: Destiny,

Promise, Elijah, and Serenity. She is also survived by her parents, Linzsy Harris and Portia

Jenkins; her five sisters, Shaina Harris, Precious Harris, Shantel Harris, Sharonna Harris

Morgan, and Briana Harris; her brothers, Linzsy Harris, Tyler Harris; and a host of aunts, uncles,

cousins, nieces, nephews, sorority sisters, and treasured friends.

She was a beautiful soul, the heart of her family, and the light in every room. Her memory will be

forever cherished, her love never forgotten, and her legacy eternally felt in the lives of all she

touched.

A visitation for Christa will be held Friday, May 23, 2025 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Paradise Funeral Home, Inc, 10401 West Montgomery, Houston, TX 77088. A sorority ceremony will be held Saturday, May 24, 2025 from 9:45 AM to 10:00 AM at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, 3826 Wheeler Ave, Houston, TX 77004. A visitation will be held Saturday, May 24, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, 3826 Wheeler Ave, Houston, TX 77004. The funeral will immediately Saturday, May 24, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, 3826 Wheeler Ave, Houston, TX 77004. The committal will be held Saturday, May 24, 2025 from 1:30 PM to 2:00 PM at Paradise Funeral Home & Cemetery North, 10401 W Montgomery Rd, Houston, TX 77088.