Audrey Christian

Audrey Gaines Christian was the eldest of four children born September 30, 1938 to Effie and Jake Gaines Sr. in Corinth, Mississippi.  The family located from Paducah, Kentucky to Detroit Michigan in 1945.  She earned her formal education in the Detroit Public School system graduating from Northern High School of Detroit Michigan in 1955. 

She was united in matrimony to David Jewell Christian in 1957 in Detroit.  From this union came 3 children: 2 daughters and one son, Pamela Christian-Simpson, Eric Christian and Valerie Christian-Luckett.

She continued her education at Wayne County Community College (WCCC) earning an Associate of Science degree in Banking where she served 35 years in the banking industry.  She also served as a nursing assistant for 15 years in the healthcare industry.

Audrey accepted Christ and her journey began at New Prospect Baptist Church under the pastorage of Rev. Charles B. Heath and Rev. Samuel L. Whitney.  Audrey was active in Sunday School, Baptist Training Union, Red Circle, YWA; served as the Secretary of the BM&E State Convention, the Excelsior Choir and was an avid member of the Usher Board ministry.

In 1986, she joined her brother Pastor Jake Gaines Jr. in building God’s kingdom at Synagogue Baptist Church in Detroit Michigan until her health began to fail.  So over 30 years she served faithfully in the choir, nurse ministry, the usher board, morning bible study, and any other method of service that she could provide.

She loved praising God and sharing his goodness.  “Mother Christian” as she was lovingly called by many was such an unassuming servant who deeply resented her name being called but loved calling on the name of Jesus.  Her lasting impression continues to be “Love God, and Love People”.

She had a gift and love for cooking, gardening, reading and most of all spending time with her family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Preceding her in death was her father and mother, Jake and Effie Gaines, and her sister Doris Ford.

She leaves to cherish her memory: two daughters, Pamela Simpson and Valerie Luckett, one son, Eric Christian, grandchildren, Bryan, Tiffany, Portia, Lauren, Brandon, Micah, Sharece, Jaya, Ricky, Natasha, Shontay, and 11 great-grandchildren, one brother Jake Gaines Jr. (Leona) and one sister Barbara Thomas; 2 sons-in-law and 1 daughter-in-law and a host of relatives and friends.