Marilyn Sue Christopher, age 86 of Petros, Tennessee, passed away peacefully to Jesus, her Good Shepherd, at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, March 5, 2025. Her two sons, daughter, and other loved ones were at her side almost continually for her last several days. Marilyn is survived by her children, Bill (Shirley) Christopher of Petros and of Weaverville NC; Penelope (Ray) Bond of Paint Rock TN; and John (Charity) Christopher of Petros; 14 grandchildren; 14 (soon to be 15) great-grandchildren; sister Rosemary Westbrook of St. Marys WV; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Bill E. Christopher, Sr.; grandson Gideon C. Bond; her parents, Aaron and LaVerna (Bailey) Smith of St. Marys, WV; and six siblings, Iva Mae Davis, Carl Dee Smith, Dorothy Gladys Dornan, Helen Jean Cochran, Aaron Smith, Jr., and Billy Dale Smith.

Prior to having children, Marilyn worked as an office administrator in Cleveland OH. Marilyn and her late husband Bill were active members of Petros Baptist Church since the early 1960’s. She taught preschoolers in Sunday School and VBS from her freshman year of high school on, an example of faithfulness for over 50 years. She also served her community by running the Petros laundromat in the 1960’s and 70’s. Marilyn adored her husband and did her best to spoil him with good cooking. This was helped by their gardening, berry picking, and canning together. She was his good-sport companion in world travels in their later years, although her favorite activity was walking in their woods. She kept beautiful flowerbeds and effortlessly identified birds and wildflowers for her grandchildren. Her skills in baking, sewing, housekeeping, and creative, persevering help for her family’s projects over the years all made for her home being a sanctuary. Occasional pranks and board game domination were served up with a twinkly-eyed smile that will be greatly missed.

On Saturday, March 8, the family will receive friends from 1 to 2 pm at Jackson Funeral Home, 51 Edmonds Drive Oliver Springs. The funeral will be at 2:00 with Dr. Jim West officiating. Internment will follow in the Robbins Cemetery, 1018 Old Dutch Valley Road in Clinton.

The family wishes to express appreciation to Marilyn’s compassionate caregivers of the past 3 years at the Canterfield Memory Care Center in Oak Ridge and to her friends at Petros who have kept her in their prayers, visits, and sending cards.