Leona Louise Christian

The beloved Leona Louise (Kivel) Christian departed this life on December 13, 2019 at the Golden Life Center in Newburgh, IN. She was born on March 16, 1938 to Alice Ruth (Kivel) Martin and Lee Willard Martin in Evansville, IN.
She was the proud alum of Lincoln School and attended from primary to high school. Leona’s creative beginnings started in her formal years at Lincoln and followed her into adulthood. Along with her fellow Douglass School classmates, they held annual class reunions and educated their children about their experience going to these prestigious African American Schools in Evansville, IN.
Leona was ahead of her time and very passionate about the word of God and serving her community. She professed her faith in Jesus Christ at an early age and served in her church until the end. As a member of the Metropolitan Seventh Day-Adventist Church, she was one of the pillars of that community and served as a Vacation Bible School Coordinator, Community Service Leader, Adventist Youth Leader and Deaconess to name a few. She banded the community to together to help those in need during the holiday season with her community Thanksgiving dinners and sang carols to residents at nursing homes during Christmas time. Throughout the year, she would make it a point to visit the sick and shut-in and presented them with a rose and Bible; and assisted with her church food pantry. Leona was also one of the founders and devout members of the Black Women’s Task Force of Evansville, IN.
Beyond her community service endeavors, she was well known as “Ms. Christian that worked at the Center.” At the Lincoln Gardens Senior Citizens Center, she served as the Activities Director. During her tenure, in this position, she spearheaded several programs that transcended beyond the elderly community. Her vision was to empower and expose the inner-city community to domestic and foreign travel, exposure to the arts through dance and various daily in-house activities.
Beyond all these accomplishments, her proudest moments were with her family. Leona was proceeded in death by her loving husband (John Christian), mother (Alice), father (Lee), daughter (Carla Christian), and sisters (Janice Pauline Whitlock and Betty Craig). Her memories will be cherished by her children Mary Sisney, Lisa Tyler, Brenda Christian, Scott Christian (Janice), and Alicia Christian (Christopher Morris). She also leaves behind her beautiful grand and great-grand children Gretchen Adebaju (Christopher), Christopher Sisney (Yolanda), Micah Tyler, Marie Nicole Elliot, Christian Adebaju, Jordin Adebaju, Royal Elliot, Syndei Sisney, Loyal Elliot, Amaris Christian, CadenSisney, Isabella Adebaju, and Emily Sisney. Along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles and “family by love” that will keep her joy and memory alive.
Special thanks to Nazarene Baptist Church, Carver Senior Center, Carol Christian, Temple Long, Coleen Collins, Alyce Dulin, Caroline Outlaw and Viola (Toot) Jackson for all the love and support throughout the years.