With deep love and gratitude for a life devoted to caring for others, the family of Christene Fine LeCroy regretfully announces her passing after a long and meaningful life. She was known by many names—Mom, Stepmom, Granny, Nanny, sister, and friend—and each name reflected the love she gave so freely to the people around her.
Christine raised three children and several grandchildren, devoting her life to making sure they always felt cared for, safe, and loved. Later in life, through her marriage to Gean, she was blessed with two bonus kids, whom she welcomed warmly into her family. Whether through a warm meal, a listening ear, or simply her steady presence, she spent her life taking care of others.
She loved flowers, plants, and gardening, and took great joy in watching things grow. She was also an avid seamstress and quilter, creating a special quilt for each member of her family. These quilts are treasured possessions today, each stitch a reminder of the love and care she poured into her family.
Her kitchen was another place where her love was felt. She was known for her chocolate pies, chicken and dumplings, chicken and dressing, and her famous party punch. Everything she made seemed to taste better because it was prepared with love. Some of her favorite foods were sweets—she especially loved donuts, milkshakes, and anything chocolate.
She grew up in difficult times and was only able to attend school through the 11th grade when the boll weevil devastated the cotton crops her family grew. She loved telling stories from her childhood, like playing paper dolls with her sister, decorating a Christmas tree with handmade decorations, and being crowned Harvest Carnival Queen during her 10th-grade year.
Though she never had the opportunity to pursue formal education beyond that, she dreamed of becoming a nurse. In many ways, she fulfilled that dream through the care she gave throughout her life. She was a natural caregiver and looked after countless family members and loved ones whenever they were in need.
She was fortunate to experience great love in her life. First and foremost she loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. When she was 15 she met her next love, Paul, and was his bread maker for nearly 50 years. Though she missed him dearly after his passing, she was later blessed to find love again with Gean, and they shared nearly 20 years of marriage together.
In the final weeks of her life, it was difficult for her to transition from being the one who cared for everyone else to the one receiving care.
She looked forward to meeting Jesus and being reunited with those who went before her, including her daughter Judy, her son-in-law Dale, her beloved husbands Paul and Gean, her brothers and sisters, her parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, in-laws, her granddaughter Amy, as well as many nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
Though we would have loved to keep her with us forever, she leaves behind a legacy of love in the family she cherished so deeply. She is survived by her sister and best friend, four children, ten grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild, along with many extended family members and friends whose lives were touched by her kindness.
Her quilts, her recipes, her stories, and her love will remain woven into the hearts of her family for generations to come.
She was a devoted member of Fairview West Baptist Church where she served faithfully for over 70 years. Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m., Thursday, March 19, 2026, at Hanceville Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow the service at Fairview West Cemetery. Visitation will be prior to the service from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at Hanceville Funeral Home.
She loved us a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck, and that love will stay with us always.
