Theresa Bernice Wood Christy
Theresa Bernice Wood Christy of Columbia died Friday, Feb. 11, 2011. She was 99.
She was born on March 18, 1911, in Stanwood, Wash., to Norton Elmer and Dora (Shorb) Wood.
She married C. Marshall Christy on Dec. 28, 1939.
Mrs. Christy's father was a Methodist minister and the family moved regularly because of his job. As a child she lived in small towns in Washington, Wyoming, Arkansas and Missouri.
She earned teaching credentials at Central Wesleyan College in Warrenton and taught in a one-room school in Montgomery County. She later attended Kansas State University and graduated with a degree in home economics. Mrs. Christy worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Extension Services, where she met her husband.
In the mid-1950s, the couple moved to Columbia with their son, Dean, and worked at MU. While working at the university, Mrs. Christy did some of the first research on frozen prepared foods, food mixes, the newly invented microwave oven and other research projects in food science.
Mrs. Christy was a longtime member of Missouri United Methodist Church, United Methodist Club, Eastern Star, Garden Club and Fortnightly Club. She was an avid weaver and world traveler who was known for her quick wit and sense of humor.
Mrs. Christy is survived by her son, Dean Christy of Columbia; and nephews, Stan and Fred Wood.
Her husband; brother, Elmer; and sister, Ann, died earlier.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. An Eastern Star service will follow at 7 p.m. The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Missouri United Methodist Church, 204 S. Ninth St.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Missouri United Methodist Campus Ministry. Tributes can be left online at www.memorialfuneralhomeandcemetery.com.
