Reverend Dr. Hallie Paxson Davis Christian

Memorial services for the Reverend Dr. Hallie Paxson Davis Christian, 91, of Palatine, Illinois, formerly of Cleveland, Ohio, will be held in Cleveland at University Circle United Methodist Church on Sunday, June 30, 2013.

Hallie was born January 4, 1922 in Staten Island, NY, and she passed away Saturday, April 13, 2013 at Midwest Palliative Hospice Center in Arlington Heights, IL.

She had a zest for life and was always looking for new ways to serve and new opportunities.   She raised her family in Cleveland while she continued her education and pursued a variety of professional experiences.   She obtained several degrees including a Bachelor Degree from University of Illinois, a Masters from Western Reserve University, a PhD from Case Western Reserve University and a second Masters of Divinity Degree from Methodist Theological School in Delaware, Ohio.

Her multi-faceted career included work as an engineer for Standard Oil and Director of Training and Personnel for the Cleveland Girl Scout Council.  She worked as a math teacher in a City of Cleveland work/study program, and later in the Research Department of the Cleveland Public Schools.  In the mid-1970’s she went into the ministry, and became one of the first female Methodist ministers ordained in Ohio.

Hallie was the beloved wife of the late Edward D. Christian; loving mother of  Susan (John) Heaton, Kathy (Kent) Kleiva and the late William Richard Francies; loving grandmother of  Rick , Laura (Richard), Kristen and Kate; dear daughter of the late, Archibald Hunt and Martha (nee Winsborough) Davis; fond sister of  the late Archibald Hunt Davis.  She leaves behind many wonderful friends and family members in Cleveland and around the country.