Edith Christoph

Funeral services honoring Ms. Edith Juanita Abbott Christoph, will be held on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Athens. Burial will follow at Tulip Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, prior to service. 

Edith Juanita Abbott Christoph was born August 5, 1931 in Colorado. She went to be with Jesus on October 12, 2024. She accepted Christ as her Savior at a young age and felt called to teach. She and her husband married in 1950. They lived in Florida for twelve years. The family moved to Louisiana in 1969. Mrs. Christoph started working as the daycare supervisor at Mt. Olive Christian School in 1980 when the school opened. She worked in that capacity until 1994 when she had her first heart attack. She stopped working for a couple of years then went back as the kindergarten teacher. She did this until 2001 when Mr. Christoph’s health declined. After he passed away, of course, she could not stay away from the school. So she started working again until she retired in 2017. She poured her heart and soul into the children at MOCS, and they all loved her and still remember her. 

She had the sweetest spirit and had a sense of humor up until just before she died. She loved her family fiercely. She always wanted to know what was going on in their lives. She had a sharp mind and was able to remember what everyone was doing. Later in life, she learned how to use Facebook and tried to keep up with everyone that way. But she found her true joy getting to talk to her family whether on the phone or in person. She never complained and always thought about others before herself. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, Ola Marvin and Harriett Ella Kain Abbott, her husband of over 51 years, Manning Christoph, her sisters, Bonnie, Leona, Dorothy, Barbara and brothers Raymond, Edward, Irving, and Robert; and grandson, John Christoph. 

She is survived by her brother, Richard Abbott of Fredericksburg, VA, her daughters Linda Christoph Gantt (Len) of Athens, LA, Marlene Christoph of Athens, LA, Christine Christoph Bullock (Ronnie) of Homer, LA, her sons Steven Christoph of Athens, LA, and Marvin Christoph (Marie) of Lufkin, TX, grandchildren, Jewella Newlen of Athens, LA, Tammy Gantt Jump (Nathan) of Athens, LA, Jason Gantt (Tammy) of Homer, LA, Jeremy Gantt (Jennifer) of Ruston, LA, Kristopher Darden (Jessica) of Stuart, FL, Christen Barnett of Homer, LA, Chester Christoph (April) of Lufkin, TX; Jacob Gantt (Jade) of Homer, LA, great grandchildren, Jasey and Jossy Gantt, Morgan Carroll Davis (Bradley), Madelyn Carroll, Blake Newlen, Jace and Coy Christoph, Harper and Emery Darden, Brieanna, Lissa and Dixie Barnett, Makayla Gantt, Natalie Bullock, Brandon, Sarah, Lilly, Madeline and Christopher Culver; numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and friends that were more like family.

The family would like to thank all of the doctors that have taken care of her over the years and Passages Hospice for caring for her the last few weeks. 

Honoring Ms. Christoph as pallbearers will be Jason Gantt, Jeremy Gantt, Kristopher Darden, Jacob Gantt, Chester Christoph, Blake Newlen. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Nathan Jump and Luke Smith 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mrs. Christoph’s memory to Mt. Olive Christian School.