Obituary of Emma Roseanne Christie

Emma Roseanne Christie, Rosie, finished the book of her earthly life on June 14, 2020. Born in Barnwell, SC, July 30, 1956, she was the eldest daughter of the late Joseph Francis and Emma Edens Christie. Attending Barnwell schools, Roseanne loved the Arts, particularly theater & music. She was a voracious reader like her father. She graduated Lander College then taught Home Economics, first at High Hills Middle School then Darlington High, retiring in 2011. Rosie had a warm, generous nature and was gifted in handiwork, making custom clothing, home décor and paintings. She was a volunteer coordinator for Gear Up for Learning (Sumter United Ministries) for many years. She discovered reenacting in 1993 and joined the Palmetto Soldiers Relief Society, later serving as President, and was in the SC Society Order of the Confederate Rose. She always looked forward to time spent with friends within the PSRS / Palmetto Battalion at encampments and led history lessons on 19th Century life for area schoolchildren at some events. She had a business hand making period-correct clothing and accessories. She made and sold hundreds of cockades to support the raising of the C.S.S. Hunley submarine and took part in the 4.5 mile procession (in full period civilian attire) escorting the Hunley crew to their burial in Charleston’s Magnolia Cemetery. Roseanne was a member of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents James Mitchell and Rosalie Rembert Edens, and brother Joseph Francis Christie, Jr. Surviving are her sister Lee Christie Stapleton (Tom) and niece Emmalee Grace of Huntersville, NC, aunt Frances Ann McIntosh of Sumter, sister-in-law Susan Blume Christie of Summerville, and boyfriend Joey King of Sumter. She was blessed to have ’helpers’ from Quality Private Caregivers during her extended illness. Graveside services are scheduled for 5 pm Saturday, July 18 at Tirzah Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Dalzell with Rev. Wes Conner & Rev. Mike Short officiating. Contact Elmore Hill McCreight for directions. Memorials may be made to Sumter United Ministries, 803-775-0757; St. Mark’s UMC, 803-773-7033; or Tirzah Cemetery Association, P. O. Box 6, Dalzell, SC 29040. Online condolences may be sent to www.sumterfunerals.com. Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad Street, Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements (803)-775-9386.