Celebrating the life of
Christine Smith Persons
January 01, 1924 - April 24, 2016
Veteran, Volunteer
Christine Norris Smith Persons, 92, died on April 24, 2016 at Hospice House in Savannah, Georgia. She was born January 1, 1924 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the first child of Thomas Washington Smith and Sarah Bell Smith. She graduated from Sidney Lanier High School and attended Alabama College for Women until she joined the Women’s Army Corps to serve in World War II. In 1946 she married Wilton B. Persons, Jr. shortly after his graduation from West Point; they were married for almost 69 years until his death in 2015. She attended Brandeis University and Boston University when they lived in Boston.
Christine was an exemplary Army wife for 33 years and traveled all over the world; the family lived in Germany, Hawaii and many other places. Wherever she went, Christine had a gift for making friends. She had an unquenchable curiosity about people and the world. Christine held some interesting jobs as well as raising three children; she was a tour guide in D.C., worked in a library and the Pentagon recreation office. When Wilt retired in 1979 after reaching the rank of Major General and serving as the Judge Advocate General of the Army, they moved to Savannah, where they embraced Low Country living. They lived at The Landings on Skidaway Island and then moved to the newly built The Marshes of Skidaway Island. They enjoyed sailing their boat “La Boheme”, traveling and doing volunteer work. Christine volunteered at the Savannah Safe Shelter, Hospice House and did reading tutoring in public school.
For fun, Christine loved playing bridge, dancing and parties. She was an accomplished dancer and member of the Hot Flashes tap troupe in Savannah. She was a wonderful cook, though she would tell you otherwise, and had a knack for entertaining and making holidays magical. If you met her, you would never forget her, with her Alabama accent, sense of humor and huge personality that lit up a room. She was known for her glamorous wardrobe, snazzy shoes and jewelry. Christine loved cats and dogs, was an inveterate reader and interested in history. Chris always liked challenging crossword puzzles. In her sixties she took up painting and discovered that she enjoyed it. If heaven features a bar, Christine will be found there savoring a Maker's Mark Manhattan.
She is survived by her daughter Charlotte of Kelso, Washington, her daughter Alice of Westbrook, Maine and her son Wilton B. Persons III of Tallahassee, Florida. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband, Maj. Gen. Wilton B. Persons, Jr., in April 2015 and her two sisters, Anne and Sarah. She is survived by her grandsons David and Stephen Blomeyer, many nieces and nephews, and her sister-in-law Charlotte Land and her husband Everett of Brenham, Texas.
A memorial service will be held at The Marshes of Skidaway Island in Savannah on June 25, 2016 at 4:00 PM. If you wish to contribute in her memory, you could choose an animal shelter or animal rescue organization, or Hospice House of Savannah.
Please sign our on-line guest book at www.foxandweeks.com
We have always loved and admired Chris and Gen. Persons. Lorraine remembers Chris and how she unconditionally welcomed her into the JAG family when Chris was the very first military wife that she met! We will remember Chris who had a zest for life and a generosity that permeated her every action.
- Col and Mrs Michael Kennett, Henderson/Las Vegas, NV
I will miss my dear friend. Jane Patrick Hall And Trisha Conner
- Jane Patrick Hall, Princeton, Il
To Chris Persons' Family: It is with deep regret that I read of my dear Christine Persons' passing. She was a good friend who I had known for many years. As my daughter Carol wrote, Chris and I thoroughly enjoyed bridge together and exchanged many witticisms--and recipes!--over the bridge table. I had the good fortune of seeing her often in our latter years, reminiscing of our European experiences and mutual friends there. I will miss her terribly. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.
- Margaret Ekern, Arlington , VA
I knew Mrs. Persons because I altered most of her clothes for over 15 years. She was always kind to me and I loved her enthusiastic, vibrant personality. Always looking good! Throughout the years she kept wearing her pretty heels only a bit smaller as she got older.I loved hearing how she beat the men playing bridge! She will be missed and my deepest condolences to all her family.
- Monica witt, Savannah, Ga
Chris and Will were our neighbors for many years on Chatuachee Crossing at the Landings. They were great friends and neighbors. Both made a tremendous contribution with their lives. Our thoughts and prays are with the family. Pat and Howard Hackney
- Pat Hackney, Savannah, GA
Charlotte and Family: As you may know, my parents were very close to yours--Col. (ret.) HAL EKERN, was a diplomat in the Foreign Service, serving in Vienna, Austria, Bonn, Germany and Heidelberg, Germany, among other countries. While in Heidelberg, he was the Political Advisor to CINC General Polk and then General Davison. My mother, MARGE EKERN, was and still is at age 95 an avid bridge player and she and Chris became bridge buddies. Chris was one of eight General's wives and my mother who spent a week playing bridge in Myrtle Beach for years! For the last 10 years, I have taken my mother to the Hilton Head area to visit relatives and we would always have lunch with the Persons (and Lessie Engler). Wilt was so bright and interesting and Chris so funny and engaging--two wonderful people. That generation is almost gone and a great loss to our society. I will miss them. My heartfelt condolences to you and our prayers are with you. God bless--CAROL EKERN CONNORS
- EKERN, McLean, VA
Both were lovEly people.
- Jim Mundt, Colorado Springs , Colorado
We have always loved and admired Chris and Gen. Persons. Lorraine remembers Chris and how she unconditionally welcomed her into the JAG family when Chris was the very first military wife that she met! We will remember Chris who had a zest for life and a generosity that permeated her every action.
- Col and Mrs Michael Kennett, Henderson/Las Vegas, NV
I will miss my dear friend. Jane Patrick Hall And Trisha Conner
- Jane Patrick Hall, Princeton, Il
To Chris Persons' Family: It is with deep regret that I read of my dear Christine Persons' passing. She was a good friend who I had known for many years. As my daughter Carol wrote, Chris and I thoroughly enjoyed bridge together and exchanged many witticisms--and recipes!--over the bridge table. I had the good fortune of seeing her often in our latter years, reminiscing of our European experiences and mutual friends there. I will miss her terribly. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.
- Margaret Ekern, Arlington , VA
I knew Mrs. Persons because I altered most of her clothes for over 15 years. She was always kind to me and I loved her enthusiastic, vibrant personality. Always looking good! Throughout the years she kept wearing her pretty heels only a bit smaller as she got older.I loved hearing how she beat the men playing bridge! She will be missed and my deepest condolences to all her family.
- Monica witt, Savannah, Ga
Chris and Will were our neighbors for many years on Chatuachee Crossing at the Landings. They were great friends and neighbors. Both made a tremendous contribution with their lives. Our thoughts and prays are with the family. Pat and Howard Hackney
- Pat Hackney, Savannah, GA
Charlotte and Family: As you may know, my parents were very close to yours--Col. (ret.) HAL EKERN, was a diplomat in the Foreign Service, serving in Vienna, Austria, Bonn, Germany and Heidelberg, Germany, among other countries. While in Heidelberg, he was the Political Advisor to CINC General Polk and then General Davison. My mother, MARGE EKERN, was and still is at age 95 an avid bridge player and she and Chris became bridge buddies. Chris was one of eight General's wives and my mother who spent a week playing bridge in Myrtle Beach for years! For the last 10 years, I have taken my mother to the Hilton Head area to visit relatives and we would always have lunch with the Persons (and Lessie Engler). Wilt was so bright and interesting and Chris so funny and engaging--two wonderful people. That generation is almost gone and a great loss to our society. I will miss them. My heartfelt condolences to you and our prayers are with you. God bless--CAROL EKERN CONNORS
- EKERN, McLean, VA
Both were lovEly people.
- Jim Mundt, Colorado Springs , Colorado
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
