Anna Traylor Christopher

Anna Spiers Traylor Christopher, 70, of Dinwiddie, passed away Saturday, September 19, 2015. Born June 8, 1945 and raised in the community of Blandford, Petersburg, the daughter of the late Richard Edward & Eva Wright Hoggard Traylor, she was a woman of unwavering faith whose mission in life was to care for the downtrodden. She poured her heart and soul into serving the least of these; the poor, the sick, the mentally challenged, the homeless, and the elderly.
Anna was a hair stylist by trade. She began at Jules in Petersburg acquiring a loyal customer base that followed her throughout her career. She took a sabbatical to care for her invalid mother and later resumed her career as a teacher with Flair Beauty Institute where she taught for many years. Eventually she felt led to use her talent as a stylist to work at Battlefield Park Convalescent Home. This enabled her to use her God given gift while also helping others.
She was a visionary and had a gift to motivate and inspire others to use their talents to serve the community. She served numerous leadership roles at Oak Grove United Methodist Church including President of the United Methodist Women, Chairman of the Pastor Parish Relations Committee, and Delegate to the Annual Conference among other roles.
Anna was also the Founder and head of the Oak Grove UMC “Tuesday Workers”, a group of retired members of the church and surrounding community. She was a staff member for Camp Rainbow Connection (for Special needs adults), a volunteer for the local Special Olympics of Virginia and the Winter Emergency Relief Shelter in Petersburg. Anna also spearheaded yearly drives of free school supplies for local children.
Anna was heavily involved in volunteer work with Golden Living Convalescent Center (previously Battlefield Park Convalescent Center.) In fact, she received seven volunteerism awards throughout her 20+ years of service.
Her greatest and most recognized accomplishment was Founder and Coordinator of the Oak Grove United Methodist Helping Hands Carnival. The Carnival began as an idea to help raise money for a local family whose daughter was diagnosed with leukemia, a form of cancer. The carnival was a success and Anna’s vision was realized. Who could have anticipated that 20 years later Anna would be stricken with the same ailment, cancer? After 20+ years, the carnival has helped hundreds, if not thousands of people throughout our community.
This year, to her surprise, Oak Grove United Methodist Church chose Anna and her favorite missions as the recipient of this year’s proceeds, to be held on Saturday, October 3rd, 2015. Unfortunately, it will not be in honor as intended, but instead in memory to celebrate her impact on others and to carry out her legacy of helping our community and our world. We encourage all to attend this event or donate as this is the best way to honor her life.
Anna was preceded in death by her husband, Tracy Kendell “Chief” Christopher, her dear sister, Mary Lynn Johnson and brother-in-law, Phillip “Buddy” Johnson. She is survived by her sister, dearest and inseparable friend, Nancy Ruth Traylor Arp and husband, Larry; son, Tracy Kendell Christopher, Jr. and wife Lisa; daughters, Susan Christopher Miller and husband, Brad, and Mary Anna Christopher; grandchildren, Kendall Brock Christopher, Katie Elizabeth Christopher, Thomas Lake “Hucky” Miller and wife Lindsay, Noah Christopher George, and Caleb Foster George, and numerous nieces and nephews.
We would be remiss not to include Carol Bride Morgan and Anna’s many friends of Oak Grove United Methodist Church. You all have truly been a rock in our time of need.
Our family would like to extend special thanks and honor to Anna’s beloved caregiver, Samuel Aspen Mitchell of Petersburg. Without his love, 24 hour care, and support Anna would not have been able to live out her remaining days at home with such excellent care. Sam, our family is forever indebted to you for making these disparaging last days not only bearable but somehow wonderful. We love you and you are family.
A funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 26, 2015 at Oak Grove United Methodist Church, 12715 Acorn Drive, N. Dinwiddie, VA 23805, followed by interment in the church cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Oak Grove Helping Hands Carnival, 12715 Acorn Drive, N. Dinwiddie, VA 23805.
The family is being served by the Petersburg Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com .