Leona Patricia Christian, 69, better known as “Ms. Pat”. passed away on January 15, 2021. The warmth of her hug, tenderness of her smile, and the love she infused into every meal she prepared, made everyone who came in contact with her feel like her favorite. She has a special way of making you feel special. Her greatest joy and legacy are found in her children, whom she loved to the end of the earth.
Born to her beloved parents, Raymond and Polly Anne Christian on September 22, 1951, in Akron Ohio, she was smart, sweet, and sassy. She also loved being the younger sister to her brother Landis “Jerry” Christian. She graduated Buchtel High School, where she rocked a bad beehive and went on to earn her Bachelor’s degrees from Central State University, with a focus in Sociology. Those who really knew her could also appreciate her love for history, which was her minor. It was in college that she established her reputation as an amazing cook and was often found preparing meals for her classmates and all the athletes on campus.
Shortly after college, she gave birth to her first pride and joy, Meia. Always up for a new challenge and fresh party scene, she relocated to Los Angeles, California. In LA, she worked in Banking & Hospitality while giving life to her second pride and joy, Megan. She often referred to her girls as “thoroughbreds”, because she was so proud of the women they had become. A few years later, her final pride and joy was born. Mikey was affectionately called her “sunshine” because his smile lit up her world. Everyone knew he was the favorite (lol).
Pat moved back to Akron, Ohio in the late ’80s to help care for her father, whom she loved dearly. When she didn’t have a car, she would walk miles (with her children, and sometimes in a snowstorm) to visit and care for him. She was eternally grateful to her eldest daughter Meia, for taking care of her during the last phase of life, as she did her father. During her time in Akron, she was also a celebrated employee at GoJo’s and Giant Eagle, continuing her passion for Hospitality Service and Food Preparation.
Pat loved people and as she grew older in life, she took joy in helping people wherever she could. She served in the Food Pantry at St. John’s Methodist Episcopal Church for a number of years and would often drop bags of food off to her neighbors who were unable to drive. She also volunteered to help run a thrift store through the PATHS Youth Development program for over 5 years. And if you were hungry, she could even be found giving people food out of her side kitchen door. Now, she gets to eat at the king’s table in heaven for eternity.
She is survived by her daughters Meia Christian (Akron, Oh), Megan Pitts (Reginald Pitts) of New Jersey, Granddaughter Milan Pitts, great god-daughter Tequila Dees, nieces Jackie Barnhart, Angie Beasley-Barnhart, nephews Aaron “Noche” Beasley and James Cain, great-niece Maya Barnhart, special friends Michael Williams and Michele Kamal, a host of cousins whom she loved dearly and many more friends, former co-workers and neighbors. She is preceded in death by her parents Raymond & Polly Anne Christian, her brother Landis “Jerry” Christian, her first granddaughter Reagan Hope and beloved son Mikey.
A public viewing will be held on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 from 1:00 until 2:00 pm at Sommerville Funeral Services, 1695 Diagonal Rd. Akron, Ohio 44320. Due to COVID a private service will immediately follow and a celebration of life will be held at a later date. Services will be live streamed at sommervillefuneralservice.com and Sommerville Funeral Services Facebook page. All condolences can be sent to 1184 Greenwood, Akron, Ohio 44320.