SYLVESTER — Christine Sutton Hurst, 84, of Sylvester passed away Friday, Nov. 30, 2012. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at New Hope Baptist Church in Scooterville with Dr. Mike Carter officiating. There will be a visitation for family and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Banks Funeral Home in Sylvester.

Christine was born on Feb. 21, 1928 in Scooterville to Andrew Jackson and Mattie Roberts Sutton. She was the youngest of seven children. She grew up on the family farm in Scooterville, where she developed her love of the outdoors. She was athletic, playing basketball and running track for Sumner during high school.

She married Millard (RM) Hurst in 1951, and together they had three children — Millard Jr. (Butch), Beth and Jess. Millard preceded her in death in 2005 after 54 years of marriage.

Christine continued her love of the outdoors throughout her life, doing yard work, spreading pine straw in her flower beds and watering her plants. She was also a businesswoman, running the Economy Auto/Otasco store on Main Street in Sylvester for many years.

Christine had a beautiful voice, and in her last years as she battled dementia, a favorite pastime was singing her favorite hymns. Even when the words for conversation could not be found, she could still sing a beautiful alto line to many of her favorites, including “In The Garden”, “Precious Memories” and “It Is Well With My Soul”.

Christine had a strong and lively spirit, which will be sorely missed by her family in each of whom she instilled that same energy and love of life.

She is survived by Butch and Beth Hurst of Barney, Beth and David Johnston of Doha, Qatar and Jess and Melanie Hurst of Sylvester; her grandchildren, Amy and Zachary Cowart of Valdosta, Rebecca and John Peters of Moultrie, Adam Hurst of Atlanta, Lauren Johnston of Atlanta, Taylor Johnston of Washington, D.C. and Zachary Hurst of Sylvester; and her great-grandson, Zachary Cowart of Valdosta.

Sign the online guest registry at www.banksfh.com.

Banks Funeral Home in Sylvester is in charge of arrangements.