Hazel Melinda Christ

Hazel Melinda Christ, 74 of Elkmont, passed away on Monday, September 20, 2021, at Athens Limestone Hospital. Mrs. Christ was born on November 24th, 1946, to Jessie Howard Hobbs, Sr. and Emma Compton Hobbs. Mrs. Christ is survived by her husband, Ronald Ray Christ, Sr.; daughter Jessica Christ; sons Ronald Ray Christ, Jr. (Melissa) and Joseph Christ (Emily); grandchildren Caleb, Meredith, Laura, and Daniel Christ; siblings Billie Bass (Bill), Ardyce Behrens, Jessie Howard Hobbs, Jr. (Sue), and Lawana Hurt (Jim); and many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her parents; brother James Hobbs (wife Mary); and brother-in-law Fritz Behrens. Melinda Christ was one with a heart of gold and an infectious laugh and one who alWays ‘loved big.’ Geographically her life was established around Elkmont, AL. All 74 years were nestled within about a mile-and-a-half radius, but her circle of love reached around her community more than we can count. Mrs. Christ was born to Howard Hobbs, Sr. and Emma Compton Hobbs on November 24, 1946, where she was the youngest of 6 children being raised on the farm on Veto Road. She was a life long member of Elkmont United Methodist Church and attended Elkmont High School for 12 years, graduating in 1965. Soon to follow was her meeting of Ronald (Ronnie) Christ as she delivered Avon to Jean Gott (Mr. Christ’s aunt). He flirtatiously nicknamed her ‘the Bubble Gum Kid’ that day, and they began dating in the summer of ‘65. Two weeks after graduated from Athens State, Ronnie and Melinda became Mr. and Mrs. Christ on June 21, 1969. Married life started in a garage apartment owned by one of Mrs. Christ’s aunts and uncles on Upper Fort Hampton; and Mrs. Christ began teaching at Piney Chapel that fall. The house across the street from the Elkmont High School was purchased (from another of Mrs Christ’s aunts and uncles), and Mrs. Christ began to teach there in 1972. All three children—Jessica, Ronald, and Joey—would be born while the family lived in this house. When Mrs. Christ’s mother passed in 1996, Mr. and Mrs. Christ bought the farm and moved back to the house where Mrs. Christ lived as they dated. Mrs Christ is best known for teaching high school Math for 23 years at EHS, but she also taught French and Physics. During those years, she completed her Masters from UNA and taught adjunct at Calhoun and Athens State. On retiring from Elkmont in 1995, she taught at Martin Methodist College for an additional 10 years before fully retiring. It was a rare event to be out with Mrs. Christ that a former student would not approach to say hi. Mrs. Christ could generally tell you the year the student graduated and would ask all about the student’s family by name. It is just who she was. It is true that Mrs. Christ career was teaching, but her defining feature were these relationships around her. Her students and life long colleagues became family, and we know she included blood family out at least to 8th cousins. So Elkmont was not a town to her; it was a very large family and refuge. Her gift of hospitality and desire to serve others drew everyone in to be a part—which also meant you had to eat something before leaving. Laughing and all kinds of games were a must, but her passion was playing cards. Bridge, and the ladies with whom she played, became a sanctuary after she retired. She loved canning vegetables and making jelly, and she loved cooking that same food for whoever walked in the door. It was rare to go to her house and not leave without at least a jar of jelly. Elkmont became even more engrained in her heart as a committee of historians were formed to write a book about her beloved community. Pictures and stories were all were bound together in the the book that was finished and dedicated to her in 2019. Surrounded with a family as large as this, her world was even deeper with the walls she called home. She loved her children and adored her grandchildren: Caleb, Meredith, Laura, and Daniel. Nieces and nephews are in abundance and were all treasured. She attended ball games and science fairs, proms and awards days, weddings and funerals. She listened to concerts and watched dance recitals. Cooked meals and organized showers. Being present and involved was a gift for her—and her family. It could easily seem a mile-and-a-half is not very big to have lived one’s life, but the lives Mrs. Christ touched, inspired, and loved circle Elkmont time and times over. Mrs. Christ was rooted and established in not just who she was, but Whose she was. She loved Jesus and loved others because of Him. To know her was to be cherished and to witness joy. So Mrs. Christ, we may shed a few tears today (and you would have cried with us), but please know you are cherished today and forever in our hearts. Whether Linda, Mom, Granny, Minnie, Melinda, Aunt Melinda, Mrs. Christ… no matter the name, we love you bunches and bunches. Rest well and whole. Visitation will be Wednesday Sept. 22nd from 5:00-7:00pm at the funeral home. Funeral services for Mrs. Christ will be Thursday, September 23rd, 2021, at 10:00am at Limestone Chapel Funeral Home, with Thom Porter and Carl Evans officiating . Burial will be at Athens Memorial Gardens.

Hazel Melinda Christ

November 24, 1946 - September 20, 2021