Patricia Randlette Christopher, 91, of Blacksburg, went home to be with her Lord on March 11, 2023, at the Kroontje Health Care Center.
She was born in Richmond on October 8, 1931, to the late Edwin “Ed” Archer Randlette and Katie “Mae” Sheally Randlette. She was the middle child in a family of five daughters and raised with strong Christian beliefs and high moral and ethical standards. These values shaped Patricia’s character and throughout her life she demonstrated them by never saying an unkind word and always carrying herself with grace and class.
She graduated from John Marshall High School in 1949 and worked as a secretary until she was married to the late Robert Edward Christopher, Jr on February 12, 1956, whom she met on a blind date. They moved to Narrows in the mid-1950s and then to Blacksburg in 1961, where husband Robert was the owner and operator of the Corner Drug Store for 38 years, and where Patricia worked part-time as a manager. She loved to sing and was an accomplished vocalist, singing in the high school and church choirs as a youth, and at one point singing live on the radio. She was a devoted wife and mother of four sons and a longstanding active member of the Blacksburg United Methodist Church, where she also sang in the choir.
She is survived by three sons and three daughters-in-law: Robert E. Christopher III of Blacksburg, William H. Christopher and Susan Christopher of Vienna, Heidi Christopher of Blacksburg, and James E. Christopher and Jill Christopher of Haymarket; six grandsons and two granddaughters: William J. (Ashley) Christopher of Ashburn, Matthew C. Christopher of Daleville, Robert J. Christopher, Daniel P. Christopher, Joseph E. Christopher, and Stephen T. Christopher, all of Haymarket, Mary H. Christopher and Emma G. Christopher, of Vienna; two great-grandchildren: Charlotte Christopher and William Christopher, of Ashburn; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Jaquelyn and Walter Tucker of Richmond, and Archer and Terry Parkerson, also of Richmond; and a host of beloved cousins, nieces and nephews.
Patricia is predeceased by her husband, Robert E. Christopher Jr, her mother and father, Ed and Mae Randlette, her sisters Sarah Smith and Evelyn Hurlbut, and her son, John M. Christopher.
The family will receive friends on March 21 from 5-7 p.m. at the McCoy Funeral Home (150 Country Club Drive SW, Blacksburg VA 24060) and a private graveside service will be held for the family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the ALS Association in remembrance of John M. Christopher.
