I would love to be one of the first to wish
Daddy a Happy Birthday.
I felt so blessed to have been born into the home and lives of John Raymond (Ray) and Wendella Walker Christopher. My siblings and I saw the love, kindness, and respect that they had for one another, and we felt the love that they had for each of us.
They were very loving and kind to everyone, extended family, friends, church members and neighbors. I remember my
friends enjoying being at our home because of the feeling of love that they felt there.
At church Dad would often be called to be the chorister and the choir director. He loved music.
I remember going on picnics in the park or the mountains and when leaving for home Momma and Daddy would say, “Let’s clean up and leave the place cleaner than we found it.”
I remember one day when I was about 7 years old, I fell down the hard wooden stairs to the basement. Daddy
came running down after me and scooped me up in his arms and said, “I love you Ruthie, I am so sorry, that hurt me worse than it did you.” I looked at him and thought ‘really, how could that be?’ Now that I am a parent and grandparent, I understand what he meant.
The grandchildren enjoyed the time that they were able to spend with Papa. They remember Papa’s sweet smile and his always being happy and jovial. He had such a fun sense of humor.
I was blessed in my adult years to be able to go on some of his lecture tours and
conventions. It was wonderful to be there and hear him lecture and then to see people come up after he spoke to meet him and visit with
him.
Dad was one of
the kindest, most gentle souls that I have ever known.
He was a pioneer in his field as an herbalist. Even through all the persecution and trials that he and Momma had to go through, he was still optimistic, and he knew that everything would eventually be alright. He has touched the lives of many.
I love you Daddy, Happy Birthday.
