Mary Virginia Howell Christopher, age 97, a longtime resident of the New Orleans area, succumbed to complications of the COVID-19 virus as she passed away on April 6, 2020 at Slidell Memorial Hospital.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Joe Frank Christopher (1920-1989); her parents, Littleberry Barrett Howell (1885-1947) and Johnnie Louise Williamson Howell (1885-1961); and her sisters and brothers and their spouses: Frances Howell Williams (Michael), Milton Howell Wallis (Kennon), Minniere Howell Founds (Joseph), Major Reece Howell (Mildred), and Littleberry Barrett Howell, Jr. (Eleanor).

She is survived by her sons Claude Barrett Christopher (Terry), Joseph Allen Christopher (Mary) and Frank Richard Christopher (Bonnie); grandchildren (who called her "Gram" and sometimes "Grambo" for her boundless energy, toughness and military service): Elisabeth C. Voigt (Peter), Ryan Christopher, Christina Taylor, Allen Christopher (Kaeli), Sara Christopher, Mathew Christopher, Andrew Christopher, Joey Christopher, Zack Christopher, Jackie Porath (Andy), Shane Alger (Kristen), and Casey Boggs (Emily); great grandchildren: Selena Voigt, Phoenix Voigt, Payton Taylor, Caleb Christopher, Cody Porath (Cassie), and Kyle Porath; great-great granddaughter Avery Porath; great friend who was more like a son: Kevin Curley (Diane); many nieces and nephews, cousins, and countless loving friends throughout the world who will treasure her memory.

Mary Virginia was born in Talladega, Alabama on May 24, 1922 and was the descendant of some of the first early 19th century settlers in Talladega County.

Upon graduation from High School, she traveled to New Orleans to attend the Mather School of Nursing at Baptist Hospital from 1940 to 1943. After becoming a Registered Nurse, she enlisted in the military in January 1944 and was deployed in 1945 to the European Theater, serving as part of the 134th Evacuation Hospital, which replaced the 51st Field Hospital, where she was ultimately promoted to 1st Lieutenant, Chief Nurse, and participated in the Rhineland Central European Campaign. She was scheduled to deploy to the Pacific Theater when WWII abruptly ended and she returned to the United States, leaving active duty in 1946. After completing reserve duty, she was honorably discharged in September of 1952. She was awarded the American Theater Ribbon, the Victory Medal, and the EAME Theater Ribbon with two Bronze Stars.

After the war, Mary Virginia worked at the Public Health Hospital in Birmingham, AL. She eventually fell in love with her brother Reece's best friend, Joe Frank (whom she first met in the fourth grade), and married in 1950. The couple moved to New Orleans and raised a family. Mary Virginia continued to work as a nurse at Baptist and Methodist Hospitals in New Orleans until the 1970s. After her husband passed away, she moved to Slidell where she became a dynamic part of the community and a devoted member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church. She worked for years as a volunteer at Northshore Regional Medical Center and was active in NARFE, AARP and other senior organizations.

She was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great grandmother and always participated in activities involving her family. She loved sports, competing in local senior Olympic events, and would challenge her grandchildren to compete with her in almost any sport. Of course, none of her grandchildren could defeat her in bowling. She was a competitive league bowler until the summer of 2019. She has been a devoted Saints fan since she attended the very first game in Tulane Stadium and would never miss watching a game with her son Joe and honorary son Kevin. "Gram" would take great pride in the accomplishments of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren and all would strive to exceed her expectations. She enjoyed and relished family dinners and vacations and would never miss any functions.

It is tragic irony that this "Florence Nightingale" who treated countless patients and was involved with public health for decades should be a victim of the COVID-19 virus. Four years prior to her birth, her Uncle Dan's wife, children, and mother-in-law visited New York and died during the 1918 flu epidemic. This was one of the reasons Mary Virginia and her older sister Minniere became nurses. Mary Virginia would be the first to emphasize to everyone to follow the public health guidance to maintain social distance, practice proper hygiene and stay safe.

Mary Virginia was a selfless, tireless, and loving person who stressed to her family to live by her motto of "always treat others as you would like to be treated." To paraphrase what was said upon the death of her great-great grandfather, Reece Howell, "none knew her but to love her," and all would agree with her granddaughter Eli's regular parting statement of "I love you to the moon and back." Mary Virginia will be sorely missed with immense sorrow, but will be lovingly remembered by all who were touched by her beautiful soul - she was a living saint. Our hearts are shattered that we will no longer be able to experience the physical, emotional and spiritual impact of her presence by gazing into her sparkling, sapphire blue eyes; feeling the warmth of her motherly embrace; and hearing her honest, cherished words of "I love you."

Mary Virginia will eventually be interred at Bethel Cemetery in Talladega, AL, next to her husband. There will be future services and celebrations of her life after the existing coronavirus public health crisis is resolved.

Donations should be made to the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association, the American Diabetes Association, or Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Slidell in her name in lieu of flowers.
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Mary Christopher was a country girl from Talledega, Alabama, when she decided to follow her older sister's example and go to New Orleans to study nursing at the Mather School and then enlist to serve her country during WWII — an adventurous step that her three sons say was completely in keeping with her indomitable spirit.

Christopher, who would have turned 98 in May, died Monday night at Slidell Memorial Hospital from coronavirus. Her family was able to have one final conversation with her days before on Zoom, an hour-long chat during which she was awake and was able to hear one of her granddaughters announce her engagement.

Christopher appears to be one of the oldest patients to have died from COVID-19 in St. Tammany Parish. As of Thursday, the state Department of Hospitals reported 19 deaths in St. Tammany Parish and 777 diagnosed cases, the fifth highest in the state.

Christopher, who lived at Summerfield Senior Living in Slidell, served in the 134th Evacuation Hospital, taking care of soldiers in France, Belgium and Germany. She was promoted to 1st lieutenant and chief nurse in July of 1945.

She didn't talk about her war time experiences until recent years, her sons said, although they recall as children playing with German swords that some of her patients had given her as souvenirs.

Her middle son, Joe Christopher, who also lives in Slidell, said that he last took her to the World War II Museum in New Orleans on D-Day, where she sported a hat that said WWII veteran. "They just treated her so special, like a queen."

Her close-knit family felt the same way about her. "I've never known anyone so dearly and deeply loved," her daughter-in-law, also named Mary Christopher, said. "She was one of the last breed of givers."

Christopher continued to work as a nurse, in private service and at Baptist and Methodist hospitals, until her husband, Joe Frank Christopher, retired in the mid-1970s from his job with the state Department of Agriculture.

She moved to Slidell in the early 1990s, after her husband's death, and worked as a volunteer at North Shore Hospital for years, her sons said. She was also an avid bowler, a sport she continued until last summer, Joe Christopher said. Well into her 90s, she bowled an over 200 game. "She was bragging about that to everybody," he said.

A voracious reader, she had just given her eldest son, Barrett Christoper, a couple of books to read, including one about the American Revolution. "She liked mysteries, but she was an eclectic reader," he said.

A huge Saints fan, she watched the games with Joe every week. "It will break my heart the next time they play," he said.

One thing she taught her sons was to keep moving, Joe Christopher said, and her family believes that's one reason for her longevity. "She was the last one to leave any event, always," her daughter-in-law said. "You never saw her sit down."

She overcame a stroke three years ago, and 10 years ago recovered from a broken hip she suffered while diving for a ball during a ping-pong game with her grandson. "The doctor said that would probably be the end of her," Barrett Christopher said. But she bounced back, and while she was told to use a walker, she carried it in front of her instead.

She was very close to her grandchildren, most of whom called her Gram, until Barrett Christopher's daughter saw a Rambo movie. "Gram is tougher than that guy," she told her father. "I'm going to call her Grambo." The name stuck.

Her son Joe was able to see her twice after she was moved to hospice care, the first time to set up an iPad. She was wearing a bilevel positive airway pressure mask, which made it hard to communicate. But when she saw her son in protective gear, she asked, "Do I have the virus?"

"They hadn't told her. I told her 'yes.' She was well aware of what was going on. It was very poignant," Joe Christopher said.

Born in 1922, Mary Christopher had heard family stories of loved ones lost in the Spanish flu epidemic years earlier, including an uncle who lost his wife and children to the pandemic. "It's kind of ironic, she was born just after that, and lived all these years until now," Frank Christopher said.

"She was strong," Joe Christopher said. "If not for this virus, I think she probably would have made 100 — that was a goal."

** The remains of Mary Virginia Howell Christopher were buried in Bethel Methodist Church cemetery in July 2020 next to her husband, Joe Frank Christopher.

Contributor: BC (51176565)