Emily Christian

Emily T. Christian, beloved mother to one child Cathy Christian-Simmons 67 years old of Palm Bay, Florida, passed away in the ICU at Palm Bay Hospital on June 23, 2024, at 9:10 PM, leaving a void her family cannot fill. Emily was born in Bennettsville, S.C. in 1932 to Knox Purvis and Viola David. She was the eighth child and the youngest girl of 12 children. She was known as “Baby Sis” to her family. Emily’s family relocated to Brooklyn, NY when she was 2 years old and she attended public school and graduated from Girls High School. After she graduated from high school, Emily married the love of her life Alfred A. Christian. While married, these early entrepreneurs owned and worked in their neighborhood grocery and candy store becoming a pillar in the community they served. Later in life, Emily worked and retired as a cook providing healthy, nutritional, and delicious meals to the elderly population. Emily took special joy in the gathering of family and friends at her home. She had fond memories of the many times they would come to listen to music, dance, tell jokes, play cards, and enjoy her delightful cooking. Emily was a devoted mother to Cathy, discovering that at age 2 years old Cathy had a heart defect. She always felt that the love, support, and medical care she provided Cathy would give her a chance at a normal healthy life. Recently, Emily also devoted one hour weekly to learning about the true God Jehovah and his son Jesus Christ. Her goal was to be baptized as a Jehovah’s Witness. Emily was preceded in death by her spouses; Alfred Christian, and John Trankley, her parents; Knox and Viola, her siblings David, Flossie, Chesi, Blanche, Gladys, Hosper, Ruby, Knox Jr. “K.P.” Morris, Edward “Butch” and George “Baby Bro.” Emily is survived by her daughter, Cathy, son-in-law, Thomas Simmons, granddaughter, Tracy Christian, and great-grandson, Ilyas Christian; her dearest niece Karen Purvis-Watson, and nephews Edward Delone Purvis, and Craig Samuel; her longest and dear, friend, Viola Harvey; her many other cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends who will never forget the love she brought to their lives.