Helen was born Nov. 11, 1946 in Dawson, Georgia, to the late James W. Ginn and Marjorie Porter Ginn of Sasser, GA. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, David Kaigler Christie III; sons, Chandler Christie, Lake Harding, Alabama, and Brandon Christie (Laura) of Standing Rock, Alabama; grandson, David Lane Christie, LaGrange, Georgia; granddaughter, Tinley Reese Christie, LaGrange, Georgia; two brothers, Col. James P. Ginn and Col. Jerry W. Ginn , US Army Retired, Sharpsburg, Georgia; sister-in-law, Jane Christie Tillman, Panacea, Florida; devoted friends and caregivers, Cathy Harris, Hogansville, Georgia, and Anita Flowers, LaGrange, Georgia; and several nieces and nephews.
Helen graduated with honors from Terrell County High School in 1964 where she was Miss THS, Homecoming Queen, FFA Sweetheart, and a Varsity Cheerleader. She then attended Georgia Southern College where she was a member of Phi Mu Sorority and received a BS in Education, graduating with top honors. In June 1968, she married her high school sweetheart and love of her life, David Kaigler Christie lll, and moved to Atlanta where they began their new life together as a married couple. While there, she taught 5th grade in the Fulton County School System. She continued to teach 5th grade when the family relocated to LaGrange in 1971. In 1975, Helen’s husband, David, founded his State Farm Insurance Agency in LaGrange and West Point, Georgia, where she made a significant contribution handling administrative, accounting, and customer service duties, while being a full-time Mom. While in LaGrange, Helen and David were both active members of the First Presbyterian Church.
In 2008, the family relocated to Lake Harding, Alabama, and in 2013, she was diagnosed with Onset Dementia. She was assisted at home by wonderful caregivers until March 2021, when it was determined that she needed additional care and was moved to Valley Park Manor Assisted Living and Memory Care, Valley, Alabama. At that time, she had totally lost her memory and needed assistance with normal daily living activities.
Helen had many wonderful talents but sewing was her passion. She would shop for hours for fabric with unique colors, textures, and patterns wherever she traveled. She designed and created beautiful window treatments, draperies, cornice boards, and table linens that graced their offices as well as their LaGrange and Lake Harding homes. An avid collector of antiques, she enjoyed repurposing family heirlooms handed down from Porter relatives in South Carolina and the Christie family in South Georgia. An excellent cook, she loved entertaining business associates but really shone when cooking and serving her loved ones during holiday time.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, July 1, 2023 at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 1010 Mooty Bridge Rd., LaGrange, GA 30240 at 11:00am with a reception following. If considering a memorial contribution, please consider a contribution to Valley Park Manor Assisted Living and Memory Care, 10 Medical Park Dr., Valley, AL 36854 or an animal rescue mission of your choice.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.shlagrange.com for the Christie family.
