Louise Naomi Christopher

Louise Naomi Christopher, age 90, passed away at her home on Sunday, July 31, 2011, surrounded by her family.

She was born in Hahira, Ga., and was a member of the Santa Fe Baptist Church in Santa Fe, Fla.  She retired from Lockheed Martin Marietta Corp in Orlando, Fla., with 25 years of service in the food services division.

In 1986, Ms. Christopher moved from Orlando to Alachua to be near her sister, Mrs. Edna Mae Weeks. She enjoyed the many friends she made after moving to the “country,” helping to start a new church in Santa Fe, and working as one of the owners of the Pot O’ Gold in High Springs.  She performed numerous catering events, specializing in wedding cakes. She taught cake decorating in Orlando and High Springs and assisted in the publication of a successful cookbook titled “Frosting On The Cake.”

She was a talented artist, which was demonstrated by the many beautiful wedding and other occasion cakes she made over the years. Her paintings and crafts are treasured by her family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur F. Christopher; daughters, Martha Sue Hancock Via and Marjorie E. Hancock Virgine; sister, Edna Mae Weeks and brother, Elwood Harris.

She is survived by son, Bruce (Audrey) Hancock of New Smyrna Beach; son, Dale Pat Hancock of Alachua; daughter, Jo Sanders of Orlando; sister-in-law, Grace Harris of Alachua; step-sister, Geraldine Purvis of Alapaha, Ga; step-brother, Pete Gaskins of Orlando; nieces, Patty Hill and Sandy Carroll, Alachua, Debby Crofton of Hohenwald, Tenn; and grandson, Mike (Debra) Hancock of Orlando.

Visitation will be on Thursday, August 4, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Evans-Carter Funeral Home in High Springs.

A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, August 6 at 11 a.m. at the Santa Fe Baptist Church in Santa Fe, Fla. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery in Orlando, Fla.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Haven Hospice, 4200 NW 90^th Blvd., Gainesville, FL 32606.