Christine Louise Steele

Christine Louise Steele was united with Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior, on September 28, 2012. Her final days were relatively pain-free thanks to the nurses at Canon Hospice, and she was surrounded by her loving family members. Chris's life was too short, but it was full of purpose and meaning. Countless people were touched by her sweet spirit, her wise advice, and her heart for God.
Chris was an extraordinarily talented woman whose interests and skills spanned a wide range. In her childrens' early years, she sewed all of their clothing, gardened- feeding them with fresh vegetables- and worked as a seamstress in addition to being a fulltime mother. She had other jobs throughout her life, including sewing pageant dresses, making baby dolls, and serving as a beautician, manicurist, and esthetician. Her career finally culminated in her opening her own salon, La Jolie Vie (The Pretty Life) near the harbor in Pass Christian. Chris had a passion for missionary work, leading numerous trips as well as supporting and traveling to ministries for abused, mistreated, and orphaned children at Casa Para Ninos Aleluya, the African Children's Choir, Amazon Xpeditions Outreach, Inc, and the Cornerstone Foundation in Honduras. She loved music and traveling, and she was a loyal and cherished friend of many. More than anything, her heart's desire was to serve the Lord and be used according to His will to fulfill His purposes in her.
Chris is survived by her parents, Evelyn Steele of Mims, Florida and Virgil Steele Junior of Pass Christian, MS; her daughters, Cory Hawthorne of Buckeye, AZ, Joni Utley of Boston, MA and Beth Baker of Daphne, AL; her siblings, Virgil Steele III, her loving caretaker for the past several years, of Diamondhead, MS, and Norma Allen of Long Beach, MS; and her grandchildren, Scott Johnson of Long Beach, MS and Cynthia Johnson of Buckeye, AZ.
A Celebration of Life will take place on Sunday, September 30, 2012, at Church of the Good Shepherd, Long Beach, at 4:00 p.m. Friends may visit one hour prior to services.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Casa Para Ninos Aleluya via: Church of the Good Shepherd, 5169 Espy Avenue, Long Beach, MS 39560. Please indicate on memorial contribution, ""In Memory of Chris Steele.""
RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 11280 Three Rivers Road, Gulfport, assisted the family with arrangements, and tributes may be offered at www.riemannfamily.com.