David Eugene Christenberry

David Eugene Christenberry, 61, a beloved resident of Montgomery, died suddenly on Monday, December 19, 2016. Oh how we will miss David. Born in Shelbyville, Tennessee on February 28,1955, David was generous, fun, and kind even as a child.

A younger cousin remembers David as “the reigning champion of King of the Hill when we were children. Even so, he often stepped off the hill and coaxed me to the top, so I could win sometimes”. David was pre-deceased by his parents Johnny Hopkins Christenberry, Jr. and Ruth Quigley Christenberry and his father-in-law Joe Whatley. David is survived by his loving wife, Barbara Whatley Christenberry and their dear sons John and Brad Christenberry, along with Brad’s fiancé, Leslie Helms, David’s mother-n-law Jean Whatley; his sister Carol Bryant (Larry), and brother Paul; brother-in-law Joe Whatley, Jr. (Edith), sister-in-law Mary Leslie Spencer (Richard); nephews Beau and Alec Whatley, Johnnie Kallas, Steven Bryant, and Richard Spencer; nieces Frances and Elizabeth Spencer, and Gabriella Kallas. Memorial service will be at Frazer United Methodist Church at 3PM on Wednesday, December 21st with visitation in the Atrium of the Church from1:30 to 3pm. The family invites you to send any memorial gifts to Frazer United Methodist Church. John Ed Mathison and Larry Bryars will officiate the service.

David left a legacy well-laid and as we rejoice in his resurrection, we mourn his sudden passing. Please allow us to share a survey of David’s life and compassionate service.

David was an Auburn graduate and joined ALFA in 1977 as an agent. He became a district manager in 1978, where he achieved recognition in the company’s President’s Club 17 times. In 2013, David was promoted to his current position as Senior Vice President, South Alabama Marketing. David lived as a champion and in keeping with his perseverant spirit of excellence, David qualified for 60 ALFA All Star and Super Star trips, and was inducted as a charter member of the prestigious Alfa Hall of fame in1996. David served as past president of both the Central Alabama chapter of NAIFA and the Central Alabama chapter of the General Agents and Managers Association. David loved his job and his Alfa family. One of his coworkers noted, “David was an inspiration to us all”.

David was more than a member of Frazer United Methodist Church. David’s former pastor and friend, John Ed Mathison remembers he and David became not only fellow workers in the Lord’s kingdom, but fast friends through their mutual love for the Lord and sports. John Ed stated David was a leader of men, a fun friend, and always had a positive outlook on any situation. These characteristics helped David in his service as he held every lay- leadership position available at Frazer. In fact, David just finished a year as Lay Leader of the church. David, along with his wife Barbara, was an active member of the Rock Sunday School Class and Empty Nesters small group at Frazer. David loved playing his trombone and was the longest sitting member of the Frazer orchestra, in which he began playing in 1982.

Of all these accomplishments in the life of David Christenberry, probably the most important to David was his love of Jesus and his love of family. David was consistently joyful and optimistic, but he was happiest with his wife Barbara and sons, John and Brad….wherever they were. David was an avid sportsman and an excellent steward of the body God gave him. He loved any kind of skiing, golf, hunting (the bigger the game the better), basketball, and running with his guys (Towne Lake Running Group). He loved Auburn sports, especially football and basketball. David’s boys note he was a loving father who was a master of motivation and positive incentive to be the best at whatever you tackle. Barbara put it this way: David loved the Lord and he loved his family. There can be no greater legacy than these two. As we mourn David’s passing, we are forever grateful that Jesus came down at Christmas and stayed all the way through Easter for we know David’s relationship on earth with his living Lord finds him in Heaven this day. David lived his love for the Lord, pointing others to Christ. So may we all follow his example.