Christene Isphording was born in Pottersville, Mo. on December 23, 1936 and passed from this life on May 21, 2016 at the age of 79, in Mobile, Ala., where she had lived for nearly 50 years. She was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Edith Spencer, her sisters Beverly, LaDonnia, and Shelvy, and her brother Lonnie. She is survived by her husband, Dr. Wayne C. Isphording, to whom she was married for 56 years, and her children Gregory (Melinda) Isphording, Brian (Elena) Isphording, and Gary Isphording; four grandchildren, Elizabeth, Justin, Brittany, and Rachael and her sister, Patricia Lemieux of West Plains, Mo., as well as numerous, loved nieces and nephews (and her beloved dog, Millie). Christene was a wonderful wife and mother, always had an infectious smile for all, and entertained absolutely no prejudice toward anyone.
At the age of 53, she decided to pursue a college degree and, four years later, in 1993, received her Bachelor of Arts with a spectacular grade point average and a major in Criminal Justice Administration from the University of South Alabama. She was an avid reader, with the Bible as her favorite book, and a member of New
Hope Baptist Church. She enjoyed traveling with her geologist husband throughout the world. Christene served as an enthusiastic Cub Scout den mother and was a member of a prominent Mardi Gras society for a number of years. She enjoyed meeting people from many different cultures and visited the British Isles (on several occasions), all European countries, as well as Russia, Africa, China, Australia, Canada, Mexico, and most of the countries in Central and South America.
A memorial service for her will be held at New Hope Baptist Church (6390 Old Shell Road, Mobile, Ala.) at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 28, 2016. Interment will be at Mobile Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her name to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Pl., Memphis, TN 38105.
