Joseph "Chris" Christian Lyne Sr.

father, Thomas Laurie Lyne, Sr., his mother, Anne Hicks Lyne, brother, Col. Thomas Laurie Lyne, Jr., and sister, Joan Pomeroy, as well as Robert and Lucy Boone (in-laws) who were integral to Chris’s beautiful life.

Chris is survived by his wife of 65 years, Sylvia Boone Lyne, his children, Debra Barnes (David), Joseph Christian Lyne, Jr.(Stephany), and MaryAnne Snavely (John Messersmith), his seven grandchildren (Scott, Kati, Kevin, Chris, Barbera, Carter, and Allie), two step-grandchildren (Cole and Faith), four great-grandchildren (Christian, Wade, Paxton, and Isabel), and nieces and nephews.

As a 1957 graduate of John Marshall High School, Chris was a proud member of the ROTC program serving as C Company Captain. The ROTC program was instrumental in developing lifetime friendships. Chris earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Polytechnical Institute in 1960. He began his career at Flight Research, a company involved with the original development of the Hasselblad 500 camera later modified by NASA for lunar missions. At Flight Research he served as Engineering Manager and General Manager before becoming a co-founder of Regional Enterprises located in Hopewell, Virginia. After a few years of retirement from Regional Enterprises an extremely exciting and special career change evolved. Chris joined his wife in 1995 in running Sylvia’s Hallmark Shoppe until retirement in 2000.

Chris grew up with strong christian values in the Methodist Church and upon marriage to Sylvia after 10 years became a Baptist. As a member of Lyndale Baptist Church he served as Trustee Chairman, Stewardship Chairman, Building Committee Chairman, and later due to his love of numbers and tracking records, he was appointed Church Statistician. As health started failing for Chris and Sylvia they became members in their neighborhood church, Salisbury Presbyterian.

For many years Chris was an active member at Salisbury Country Club where many lasting friendships were forged. He served a term on the Salisbury Board and was passionate about setting up pairings for golf events and trips.

Chris is described by many as kind, cheerful, happy, giving and loving. Chris seldom knew a stranger and was quick to put a smile on your face. Quality time with friends and family was often spent camping, fishing, boating, playing tennis or golf, enjoying a beautiful sunset at the river, or just sitting to talk. Chris was known for his storytelling and quotes, giving folks a giggle and something to remember him. Chris truly viewed every day as a good day and every person as a friend.

A service and celebration of his life will be held at Salisbury Presbyterian Church on Friday, December 12th at 11:00 am.

The family would like to thank the therapists from Fox Rehab and all who attended him from Crater Community Hospice. They were each so caring and compassionate. Truly God's angels!

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Crater Community Hospice, 3916 South Crater Road, Petersburg, Va 23805.