Joseph Christie Obituary

Joseph Francis Christie, Jr. SUMMERVILLE - Joseph Francis Christie, Jr., 62, passed away at his home in Summerville, SC, on Friday, February 10, 2017. A memorial service to celebrate Joseph's life will be held on Saturday, February 18, at 1 pm in the Sanctuary at Bethany United Methodist Church, 118 West Third South St., Summerville, SC 29483. Family and friends are invited to gather afterward at Bethany's Fellowship Hall. Joseph was born February 5, 1955 in Orangeburg, SC, son of Emma (Edens) Christie and the late Joseph Francis Christie, Sr. He had a great childhood in Barnwell, SC, where all knew him as JoJo. He graduated from The College of Charleston in 1977 with a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Administration, and The College of Charleston/University of South Carolina in 1981 with a Masters of Public Administration. He was a member of the Leadership of South Carolina class of 1996. Joseph's adult life was spent making the world around him a better place, serving his community, and as a leader in the Boy Scouts of America, both locally and nationally. He was the Technical Assistance Manager for Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments from 1977 to 1982, followed by a stint as Community Services Director for Berkeley County. From 1984 to 2005, the Town of Summerville was fortunate to have Joseph as Director of Planning and Development, where his knowledge and dedication to the community had a lasting impact. He was a founding Board member of Summerville D.R.E.A.M., the organization that helped move the Town from a 40% vacancy rate in the commercial historic district to the thriving downtown it became. His expertise brought more than $1,000,000 in grant funding to the Town, providing safe sidewalks for children to walk to school and the creation of the Sawmill Branch Trail, where residents and visitors can walk and bike alongside the creek, enjoying birds and greenspace. He was one of the quiet leaders of the Town, always searching for-and finding - the best way to improve life for the people of Summerville, without fanfare. The combination of his bright intellect and positive demeanor brought disparate factions to mutual agreement and was a model for community leadership. His wit and kindness will be terribly missed, but the legacy he left for Summerville will live on. With a life-long passion for the Boy Scouts of America, Joseph completed the Philmont Expedition in 1971 and also earned Eagle Scout that year. He served as Staff Counselor at Camp Barstow from 1971-1973, Lodge Chief for Muscogee Lodge 221 in 1973, and Chairman of Swamp Fox District in 1984. In 2000 Joseph was awarded the Silver Beaver Award for his distinguished service to youth. He served as Chairman of the Council Advancement and Recognition Committee and was named to Council Executive Board. In 2013 Joseph was awarded the Swamp Fox District Award of Merit and was the Coastal Carolina Council Class of 2015 Eagle Scouts Honoree. Joseph was also a vigil member Order of the Arrow. Joseph is survived by his devoted wife, Susan; mother, Emma Christie; sister, Roseanne Christie; and aunt and uncle, Frances Ann and James McIntosh of Sumter, SC; sister, Lee (Tom) and niece, Emmalee Stapleton of Huntersville, NC; Edens and Christie cousins; and a host of extended family and dear friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 107 Westpark Blvd, Suite 150, Columbia, SC 29210 or Coastal Carolina Council Boy Scouts of America, 1025 Sam Rittenberg Blvd, Charleston, SC 29407. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston