Gloria Christina Lensgraf Perry

Christina L. Perry, 78, of Kingsport, went to be with the Lord on December 31, 2014 after a courageous battle with cancer. Her last weeks of life were spent at home with a steady flow of family and friends, sharing memories, laughter and faith. Christina was born in Piqua, Ohio, moving to Knoxville, TN at the age of 3 months. She was a graduate of East High School where she was voted Most Attractive and crowned Miss East High.

She attended the University of Tennessee where she met her future husband, Ken Perry. They moved to Kingsport after their marriage in 1957. While raising four sons, Christina was active as a Cub Scout Den mother, a member of the Kingsport Junior League, a charter member of St. Timothy's Episcopal Church and on the Board of Bays Mountain Park.

Christina began a career in photography, which spanned over 30 years. Well known for her photographs of children, she has portraits in homes from the East Coast to the West Coast. She was active in State and National Organizations, and achieved the awards of Certified Tennessee Photographer, Certified Professional Photographer by Professional Photographer of America (PPA), and the coveted award of Master of Photography from the PPA.

At the time of her death, Christina was an active member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, participating in Meals on Wheels, the Prayer Ministry and Stephen Ministries.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Dr. Arthur W. and Ines Lensgraf, and her brother, Dr. David D. Lensgraf.

Christina is survived by Kenneth Perry, her husband of 57 years; sons, Dr. Steven P. Perry and wife, Sara, Dr. David K. Perry and wife, Heather, Dr. Christopher A. Perry and wife, Dawn, and Timothy A. Perry; 10 grandchildren, Paul, Preston, Lauren, Sidney, Dalton, Tyler, Christina, Andrew, Savannah and Sullivan; brother, Dr. A. Douglas Lensgraf and wife, Sally and their children, Drs. Derick and Angela Lensgraf and children, Dr. Beth Brown and husband, Shawn and children; brother-in-law, Ronald J. Perry and wife, Ria and children; nieces, Erin and husband, Terry Conner, and Allison and husband, Joel Ogden; nephews, Dr. Arthur G. and wife, Joan Lensgraf, and Dr. Alan Lensgraf; and many great-nieces and nephews.

Special thanks to Sue Morgan of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, and to the nurses and staff of Mountain States Hospice for their excellent and loving care to Christina and the family.

A celebration of Christina's life will be held at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 800 Broad Street, Kingsport, TN on Saturday, January 10, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Steve Counts officiating. Visitation with the family will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 800 Broad St., Kingsport, TN, 37660, or to The Kingsport Bluebird Society, in care of Friends of Kingsport Senior Center, 1200 E. Center St., Kingsport, TN 37660.