Christine Cynthia (Johnson) Umstead

On Saturday October 6 , 2018 Mrs. Christine Cynthia Johnson-Umstead left her earthly home and entered into eternal rest. God saw fit in all of his wisdom to allow us to borrow her for a little more than 100 years.

            Christine was born August 16, to the late Erasmus and Rosa Belle Ragland Johnson in Person County, NC.

            At an early age, she joined Shady Hill Baptist Church, Roxboro, North Carolina, where she sang in the Choir.  Christine attended Person County High School. After moving To Durham in early adulthood Christine joined Mount Vernon Baptist Church and has been a faithful member of the J.W. Best Sunday School class.

            Christine began her working career in Durham at the Legendary Lincoln Hospital and later worked at Hillcrest Convalescent Center for thirty years providing patient care. After retirement Christine returned to work at Hillcrest for three additional years providing private duty care.

Christine had a generous heart and a love for others, when unable to travel she would call the sick and shut-in to give them a word of comfort or let them know someone was concerned about them. Christine would always call friends, family and neighbors to say hello each day.

Christine was united in holy matrimony to the late Harry Lee Umstead and to this union one child was born, Christa Umstead – Johnson (Marshall). Christine was blessed with six sons and two daughters from Harry’s first marriage. Bennie, Matthew, Leo. Roosevelt, John, who preceded her in death. Cornelius and sisters Josephine Gardner and Rosalie Umstead live in New York. Eighteen Siblings preceded her in death. Brother Howard Johnson of Durham NC remains. Christine loved her Sister in Law JoAnn Johnson. Christine contributed to the rearing of Grandson Michael (Neijia) Grissom whom she adored. Christine was blessed to have over twenty-two   Grandchildren, Thirty-Three great-grandchildren, Adriana Jolie Grissom and Sidney Marshall Parker always made her smile.  

Christine also leaves a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends whom she touched with words of comfort and humor.

If a tear I do shed

It’s not because I believe her to be dead.

If my head drops with seeming despair

It’s not a sign of a defeat I bare

The Lord gave me mama on loan

Now he’s made a choice to welcome her home.

What you see is thanksgiving, of an earnest prayerful praise….

That we will all be able to imitate her love during our remaining days!

Submitted by Christa

God walked in the midst of his garden, and gently viewed the place

He saw it would make heaven brighter, if he added one dear, sweet face

He reached down and took from earth’s treasure,

Our loved one to fill the space,

 A Jewel beyond earth’s value, one who can’t be replaced.

We thank God for lending her to us,

And teaching us her pure love,

Before he decided to take her, into his blest home above,

Protected and loved and cherished,

As time here on earth unfolds,

The wonderful one in the beautiful home,

Walking the streets of pure gold.

The Family

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