Christine Batts Hunter

Christine Hunter was born Christine Batts in Oak Lawn Illinois on November 22, 1955. She was the third daughter born to Carl and Barbara Batts, née Berg. Christine’s older sisters were Peggy (now Peggy Gonzalez) and Janet (now Janet Rascoe). Within the first year of her life, Christine’s parents moved to the San Diego, California area. Christine remained proud of her near Chicago birth, a city she always enjoyed visiting. After the family’s relocation to southern California, two more sisters were born, Betsy (now Betsy Bentz) and Nora ( now Nora Normand). Christine’s parents preceded her in death.

Following Christine’s high school graduation, she married and had a son, Peter James Fuscoe, who was born June 22, 1978. Christine lived in Texas, Tennessee ( where Peter was born) and California, as her husband pursued his educational and career goals. Christine divorced and returned to Houston Texas, where she had previously lived and worked during her marriage.

On May 19, 1989, Christine and Orville Branson Hunter married at St Vincent de Paul Catholic church in Houston. Approximately five years into the marriage, Jordan Branson Hunter, came into the family through adoption. Jordan was one year old when he became a part of the family.

At the time of her marriage to Branson, Christine was working for Baylor College of Medicine in a secretarial position in one of Baylor’s medical departments. Christine wanted to be a nurse and decided to work toward that goal. She completed a two-year nursing school program through Houston Community College and began working at area hospitals as a floor nurse. She was quickly made a charge nurse. She made the decision to stop working in a hospital environment so that she had more time with her family. Christine applied and was hired by Dr Joseph Jankovic to work in the department of Neurology, Movement Disorder clinic at Baylor. This job, which she loved, allowed her to provide patient care, learn about the movement disorders seen in the clinic, attend national and international meetings through the presentation of posters and participation in peer panels. Christine’s position as clinic manager meant she was very involved with assisting numerous doctors, who were working through the fellowship programs in the Movement Disorder clinic lead by Dr. Jankovic. Christine, who was continually wanting to advance in her career, later obtained a bachelor’s degree from UT Arlington.

For the last twenty plus years of her life Christine was involved with a medical mission group. She went annually to El Salvador for a week’s mission providing health care to underserved areas of the country. She developed a great love for the country of El Salvador, the patients and especially to the Salvadorans who supported the medical team during their annual missions. The mission team could not have operated without that support from this Salvadoran group.

Christine volunteered her services to the Tourette Association, Texas Chapter by providing medical assistance at a camp for young people with Tourette’s. She became associated with a Maryknoll Affiliate group in Houston, which worked locally and in Eagle Pass Texas. After Christine’s retirement in December 2021, she volunteered with the Charity Guild of Catholic Women. She worked regularly in the organization’s resale shop, whose sales supported children’s group and San Jose Medical Clinic in Houston.

Christine was a lifelong Roman Catholic and she remained faithful to the Church into which she was born. In Houston, she was a parishioner at St Thomas More Catholic church in Houston and most recently, after a relocation, she was a member of Christ the Redeemer parish. Christine loved to sing and was a choir member in both parishes.

Christine died in a tragic accidental fall on July 26, 2023 while on a family vacation in the Branson Missouri area. She is survived by her husband, her two sons, four sisters and three brothers-in-law (Peggy and Rick Gonzalez, Janet Rascoe, Betsy and Paul Bentz and Nora and David Normand), a sister-in-law Susan Lukas and her family and cousins, nieces and nephews and many friends and colleagues. Christine touched many lives and will be missed by many people. The family wants to thank all who reached out to express their love and support.

A memorial service for Christine will be held Saturday, August 19, 2023 from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Funeraria Del Angel Crespo, 2516 Navigation Blvd, Houston, Texas 77003. A rosary service will occur Saturday, August 19, 2023 at 5:30 pm, 2516 Navigation Blvd, Houston, Texas 77003. A funeral mass will occur Monday, August 21, 2023 at 10:30 am at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 10330 Hillcroft St., Houston, Texas 77096. An inurnment ceremony will occur Monday, August 21, 2023 at 1:00 pm at Forest Park Lawndale, 6900 Lawndale St., Houston, Texas 77023.

The family of Christine asks that in lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in any amount to one of the organizations listed below. These groups were dear to Christine and each gave her life a great deal of fulfillment.