PUNICE MAE WILLIAMS CHRISTIAN, affectionately known as “SHANK”, was born September 22, 1927, in Cyrene, Georgia, to the late Mr. Simon and Mrs. Hattie Williams. She was the second oldest of seven siblings; all of whom preceded her in death. She received her education at Union Normal School in Brinson, Georgia.
Punice Mae was married to the late Deacon Willie C. Christian. To their union were born two children, the late James “Bill” Christian Sr. and Barbara Ann Christian Smart.
Sister Christian accepted JESUS CHRIST as her SAVIOR at an early age. She joined Saint James Missionary Baptist Church, where she served faithfully throughout the years. While at Saint James, she was a member of the Senior Choir for over seventy years, serving as its Secretary, and was the Financial Secretary for the Mission Department. She also was Mother of the Church until 2015 when her health began to fail.
“Mudear”, as she was affectionately called by her grandchildren, departed her earthly life on Saturday, April 23, 2022, at HCA Florida Capital Hospital in Tallahassee, Florida. A beautiful soul who possessed a loving and caring disposition with an infectious smile, she will truly be missed. In addition to the aforementioned loved ones, her grandson James “Jamie” Christian Jr. predeceased her.
She leaves to cherish her memory two devoted daughters, Barbara Smart (Lonniell O. Sr.) of Bainbridge, GA, and Geraldine Peterson of Fowlstown, GA; three grandchildren: Mashaun Mendez, Lonniell O. Smart Jr., and Kimberly Chandler (Joe), all of Bainbridge; three great grandchildren: Aaron E. Mendez, Nolan Lonniell Smart, and Jasmine Chandler, all of Bainbridge; one great-great grandson, Jamie Mendez of Columbus, GA; a brother-in-law, Dea. James “Sonny” Clark of Bainbridge; three nieces: Sabrina Williams of Miami, FL, Carrie Byrd of Bainbridge, and Sheryl Robinson of Atlanta, GA; a special nephew, Eugene “Skeeter” Grant Jr. of Bainbridge; four additional nephews: James White, Marcus Williams, both of Gainesville, FL, Elder Alfred Solomon of Baxley, GA, and Garcia Williams of Miami, FL; favorite cousins who were like her sisters and brothers: Willie Williams Jr., Charles Williams, Willie Mae Hollis, Cora Lee Mackey, Annie Doris Garrett, Mary Scott, all of Atlanta, GA, Shirley Graham, Mary Andrews, Tynesee Butler, and Tena Butler, all of Bainbridge; best friends, Ella “Nell” Flanders and Tammy Lindsey, both of Bainbridge; her loving roommate, Jessie Mae Jackson of Quincy, FL; goddaughters: Deloris Crawford, Marvel Close, Donella Smart, Mary Jacobs, Dorothy McCray, Phyllis Travis, all of Bainbridge, Georgia Ann Hall of Rochester, NY, Anne Osborne Williams of Tulsa, OK, Dr. Diane R. Smith of Lee County, GA, Michele L. Ogden of Baxley, GA, Mamie Lue Lockett of Marietta, GA, and Linda Lewis of Quincy, FL; godsons: Dea. Johnny Bouie, Eddie Freeman, Russell McGriff, Michael Lee, all of Bainbridge, Willie James Bryant of Largo, FL, and Dea. Ernest Spence of Camilla, GA; and a host of other relatives and friends.
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Previous Events
Visitation
29
Apr
635 Bruton Street
Bainbridge, GA 39819
Graveside
30
Apr
1287 Carter St.
Bainbridge, GA 39819
Cemetery Details
Location
1287 Carter St.
Bainbridge, GA 39819