Christine Mapp, the beloved daughter of the late Elizabeth Mitchell Smith, was born on the same day we celebrate our beloved Jesus Christ, December 25, 1933 in Accomac, Virginia. On June 10, 2017 in Onancock, Virginia., surrounded by her loving family Christine was called home to be with her Lord and Savior. She graced this earth for eighty-three wonderful years. It’s difficult to say she had been ill because her lesson to her family was “Never claim it or own it.”
Christine received an education in the Accomack County public school system. Her life’s education began when she married the love of her life, the late John Henry Mapp of Wachapreague on February 19, 1957. They shared forty-seven years together and raised seven daughters.
Being the dutiful wife of a military veteran, she provided a home filled with love and joy for her family in several locations. The family lived in Governor’s Island, New York in the early 1960s, Fort Dix, New Jersey, and Fayetteville North Carolina in the mid 1960s and early 1970s, before settling in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1973. In her early years she worked as a nanny and as a nurse’s aide and later found her place in the food industry. She was employed at Buckeye Foods, in Cincinnati for over fourteen years and her service was honored by her promotion to Supervisor. When her husband John retired in 1987, the family returned to their roots on the Eastern Shore.
At an early age, Christine accepted Christ in her life. Not long after her return to Accomack County, she joined the United Faith Church of Deliverance, in Onley, Virginia under Bishop George A. Copeland and faithfully served the church for fourteen plus years until illness kept her from attending. Although she was unable to attend church service physically, she enjoyed listening to the local gospel radio station, and viewing church service programs on television.
To all who knew Christine, her love for family was her passion. During the summer months she would pile her daughters into the family station wagon for trips to the beach to enjoy the sun and sand. She loved cooking almost as much as she did eating. Christine and John would always banter on who made the best yeast rolls. When hosting gatherings of friends and family, nights would end with a spirited game of spades or bid whist. Above all, her love for her grandchildren and great grandchildren remained a priority. She doted on them.
Christine opened her home and her heart to her nieces, Marlene Mapp Thomas and Eunice Mapp Cherry, adding to the many young women who were beneficiaries of her love and kindness. Her home was always a place that family and friends were welcome when life got tough and they were in search of a place to rest their head, receive a hot meal, or words of encouragement. We will always remember Christine for her optimistic view of life, and her endless generosity.
She leaves to cherish her fond memories: seven daughters, Yvonne (Gerald) Brooks of Cincinnati, OH, Sherri (Glen) Williams of Milford, OH; Vanessa (Carson Jr.) Puriefoy of Wenonah, NJ, Sandra Mapp (Howard Plante), of Cincinnati, OH, Karen Lyons (Barry Giddings) of Onancock, VA, Yvette Mapp (Sherwood Riley), of Cincinnati, OH, and Antoinette Anderson of Oak City, NC; a grandson she raised as her own, Juan Mapp of Cincinnati, OH; nieces, Marlene (William) Mapp of Cincinnati, OH, and Eunice (Norman) Cherry of Severn, MD; a cousin she provided care for, Betty West of Onancock, VA; brother-in-law, William (Delores) Mapp of Kenly, NC; special son-in-law, James Greene of Cincinnati, OH; a special cousin, Barbara Stratton of Wachapreague, VA; and twenty grandchildren; thirty-one great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.
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