Weldon W. Christopher

On August 26, 2013, in the quiet of the morning, God called home to be with Him his faithful servant, WELDON CHRISTOPHER, SR. Weldon was born on November 25, 1926 in Nottoway County, Virginia to the late Johnnie and Gracie Christopher. He was the fourth of seven siblings. Weldon graduated from Nottoway High School and then matriculated at Virginia State University where he earned a BS Degree in animal husbandry. After graduating from Virginia State and upon entering Pennsylvania State University, he was able to secure certification in microbiology. After receiving the certification in microbiology, he was employed with the federal government immediately. He served with distinction in the United States Marine Corps from 1951 until 1953. On December 25, 1954, he married the love of his life, Mattie Zeola Shell. He received great joy from making his wife happy. On December 25, 2013 they would have celebrated their fifty-ninth wedding anniversary. Weldon was a devoted husband and father. Family meant everything to him. He was a meaningful presence in the daily activities of his three children, participating fully in their educational, co-curricular and spiritual activities. Family time, particularly at the dinner table, was prime-time for sharing school and world events. He was the quintessential example of what it meant to be a good father. Weldon understood the power of self-development and academic achievement, and consistently advocated for and supported his children in their pursuit of higher education. In addition to supporting his children’s educational endeavors, he helped to establish the Rhoades Family Scholarship in 1981 in memory of his great-grandparents, Tom and Etta Rhoades. The fund has been used to support family members with their college education and is awarded every year. In July of 2013 at the family reunion, Weldon received a certificate of recognition for his commitment to the scholarship fund. Weldon had a distinguished career in the federal government, working as a microbiologist, both at Fort Detrick and the Aberdeen Proving Ground. He retired from Aberdeen after more than thirty years of committed service. Retirement was an opportunity for Weldon to engage in several new initiatives. It allowed him to grow as an entrepreneur. His passion for real estate and his understanding of its importance to the growth and development of the black community motivated him to purchase land in rural Virginia and several homes in Maryland. Weldon was one of the founding members of the Orbit Investment Club. Through Orbit, he was able to hone his financial skills and to share his knowledge in financial management with his family and the larger community. Central to his involvement in Orbit and other financial ventures was his desire to see the black community reap the benefits of financial development. He was not a selfish man whose vision was limited to how much he could acquire, but he was pleased when others were able to succeed. Weldon’s commitment to the community was also evident in his political activism. In the late 1950s, he was a key member in integrating a movie theater in Frederick, Maryland. He also was a participant in the 1963 March on Washington and remained a lifetime member of the NAACP. His passion for justice led him to file suit against the federal government because of unfair labor practices. Weldon was a faithful servant of Providence Baptist Church for approximately fifty years, and continued to attend church throughout his illness. He was actively involved in several church ministries. He served on the Male Chorus, singing with them at Providence and traveling with them to other venues. Weldon was a Christian who exemplified his faith through all of his relationships with family and friends. Weldon leaves to celebrate his legacy: his loving wife of fifty-eight years, Mattie; his two daughters, Diane Christopher and Jacqueline Ruffin (Cornelius); one daughter- in-law, Lisa Christopher; two grandsons, Ashley Ruffin and Corey Christopher; one great-granddaughter, Azarah L. Ruffin; four sisters, Thelma C. Johnson, Ellen A. Thomas, Shirley Shelton and Christina Farmer (Chester); and a host of other relatives and friends. Never to be forgotten is Weldon’s son, Weldon W. Christopher, Jr., who passed away on January 14, 2013; his sister, Fledia C. Woodson, who passed away in June of 2013; and his brother, Fitzhugh R. Christopher, Sr., who passed away in September of 1982.

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Weldon W. Christopher

November 25, 1926 - August 26, 2013