Shirlee Beth Lightburne was born to Alvan and Ruth Lightburne of Liberty, Missouri in 1935. She graduated from Liberty High School in 1953 and attended UMKC as an art major, where she met a recently discharged young Marine named Tom Christian at a dance. They were married in 1954.

She worked for Hallmark cards in the art department before becoming a full-time homemaker. She was a wonderful wife and loving mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, friend and a gifted artist. She was a member of the Hickman Mills Community Christian Church.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Thomas Charles Christian and son Thomas George Christian. She is survived by daughter Cathy Randle (Brian) of Pleasant Hill, MO and son Joseph Christian of Blue Springs, MO. She had three grandsons, Stephen Christian of Memphis, TN, Jon Randle of Osage Beach, MO and Jacob Randle of Grain Valley, MO, sister Karen Dye, (Gladden) of Kearney, MO, and many treasured nieces and nephews.

She will be greatly missed.