Christina Maie Brightwell

She was born 91 years ago on November 10, 1921, in Bradenton, Florida, to Thomas Angelo Karamales and Ethel Pauline Walker. Christina was seven years old when her mother passed away. She was raised by her father and older brothers, Van, Tom and Lloyd on farms in Texas and Louisiana. She graduated from high school at the age of 15 and attended business college until she married Roy Peecher in 1947 at the age of 17. They moved to Tampa, Florida in 1961 to raise their daughters, Cynthia and Carolyn.

Christina joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1956 where she served in many church organizations such as Relief Society, Young Women, Primary and Sunday School. She was a faithful member of her church until her passing. She loved her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and had a firm testimony of His love for her and of the sacrifice He made so that she could return to His presence and live for eternity with her family and loved ones.

She married John Brightwell on December 12, 1980, and they enjoyed 39 years together before his death in June of 2019. She loved John with all her heart, spoke of him daily, and never stopped missing him. She looked forward to the day when her time on earth was over so that she could be reunited with him and other family and loved ones that went before her.

Christina could grow anything and always had the loveliest yard in the neighborhood. She loved jigsaw puzzles, going out to lunch, reading every book she could get her hands on (as well as the newspaper) from cover to cover. She hardly missed an episode of Jeopardy, and she probably could have won a fortune had she ever been a contestant on Wheel of Fortune. But most of all, her greatest joy was spending time with her daughters, grandchildren, great grandchildren and extended family.

A graveside service for Christina will be held 1 p.m. Sunday, July 25, 2021 in Myrtle Hill Memorial Park, 4228 East Lake Avenue, Tampa, Florida.