Raymond Christie, Jr.

Raymond Christie, Jr. transitioned on Wednesday, May 18, 2022. Family will receive friends on Friday, May 27, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at 11:00 a.m. at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, 428 E. Main Street, Columbus, OH 43215 Interment: Glen Rest Memorial Estates

“Be phenomenal or be forgotten!” This famous quote describes the unforgettable personality of, Raymond Christie, Jr. A phenomenal talent, athlete and family man who uniquely loved the Lord and authentically lived his life. Born to the parents of Raymond Sr. and Ozzie Juanita Christie in Columbus, Ohio, Raymond experienced life in his early years on the eastside of the city attending Clearbrook and Garfield Elementary and Mohawk Jr./Sr. High Schools. He played a variety of sports during his youth resulting in full ride scholarships to Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa and Peru State College in Peru, Nebraska in which he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Art Sciences. Raymond loved the Arts and dabbled in ceramics and pottery. Through his love of travel, he often visited galleries, museums and historical sites to engulf himself in the artistic relevance offered by these venues. 

Along with his longtime friend, Curtiss Williams, Raymond channeled his entrepreneurial spirit and founded Artistiscapes, LLC and later Christie & Associates, LLC. For many years Raymond could be found expressing his love for art by cleaning, sealing, staining and designing concrete for residential and commercial use. Over the past 14 years while maintaining other employment in the concrete industry, developing affordable housing and operating his business, Ray battled primary prostate cancer with style and grace. His warrior spirit and faith in God never allowed him to lose hope of being healed and living his life to the fullest. Raymond was often found working with medical professionals to raise awareness about prostate cancer by speaking at workshops and seminars; conducting interviews for various articles; and shooting a commercial promoting prevention and early detection.

Raymond was loved by many but God loved him the most. While holding his wife’s hand in the late evening hour on May 18th, God called him home to be with Him. Raymond is preceded in death by his parents and brother, John Henry (Bud) Richardson, Jr. Those who cherished him and will miss his corny jokes (e.g., Joe’s Bar & Grill) include his devoted wife and childhood friend, Elnora L. Jenkins; his children Patrice (Avery) Brady; Tacarra (Aziz) Ganiu; Shayla Jenkins and Kayla Jenkins; Grandchildren Ava, Jordan, Ameen and bonus grand/Goddaughter Kiley; Sisters Vivian (Wesley) Chism, Joyce Gibson; Brother/Sister In-Laws Lemuel Jenkins, Pamela Harris and Debra (Nate) Phillips; special nieces Yvette Kellam and Lydia Jenkins; special cousin George Christie; his “closer than a brother” friend Alan Jones and a host of other special nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

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