Joan Jacqueline "Jackie" Christian

JOAN JACQUELINE “Jackie” CHRISTIAN of Collierville, died Monday, May 19, 2014. Jackie was born in Blakenham, England. Her family later moved to Newmarket where she was educated and lived and worked as a dental assistant until she married. She worshipped at All Saints Anglican Church in Newmarket. She is survived by her beloved husband of 61 years, Donald W. Christian; her daughter, Pamela Wilkins (Gary) of Boyds, MD; her son, Wayne A. “Chris” Christian (Leanna) of Cordova, TN; step-granddaughter, Katy O’Connor (Patrick) of Memphis, and granddaughter, Julia Christian of Cordova. In England, she is survived by nephews, Michael and Gary Thomas and niece, Amanda Chapman (Terry). She met her husband-to-be, Don in England where he was stationed with the U.S. Air Force. In 1952, she came to America to marry Don in Mesa, AZ, his hometown. during her marriage, they lived in Texas, Kansas, Arizona, California, Mississippi, and Puerto Rico. During their years in the military, they worshipped at local churches and base chapels where she taught children’s Sunday School. At the Columbus Air Force Base chapel, she was superintendent of Sunday Schools, and she volunteered for many years at base hospitals and dental clinics. After moving to Memphis, she worked as an advertising assistant for the Towery Press and as an ophthalmic assistant for Dr. David Usdan. Jackie worshipped at St. Andrews’s Episcopal Church in Collierville where she was active with the Episcopal Church Women. Previously, she had served as a Lector at Christ Church Episcopal in Whitehaven. Visitation begins at 5 p.m., Thursday, May 22 at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, followed by a memorial service at 7 p.m. and then a reception in the parish hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent online to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society at lls.org. Collierville Funeral Home (901)853-2628