Jennie Lee Pride Christie

Jennie Lee, a former resident of Willcox, passed away peacefully at her home in Reno, Nevada. Her son Gary and her beloved Jack Russel terrier "Diego" were by her side. Jennie Lee spent her early years on the Double Spear ranch, northwest of Willcox. Her parents, R.A. (Ben) Pride and Guadalupe (Lupe) Pride owned and operated the Double Spear. Jennie Lee was the first in the family to attend college, graduating with a business degree. Her education brought her to Bisbee in its heyday of copper mining. Here she worked for two law firms and the Bisbee Chamber of Commerce. While in Bisbee, she met the love of her life, John A. Christie. The Prides, by then, had a home in Willcox and John and Jennie were married at a ceremony at their home. The newlyweds returned to Bisbee after a honeymoon to White Sands, New Mexico. Johns career in the insurance business led them first to Tucson and later to Reno, Nevada in 1965. Although they came to enjoy northern Nevada, they frequently returned to Willcox to visit family and friends. Jennie Lee, or "Babe", as she was known to family members, never lost her love for southeastern Arizona and the Double Spear. She was preceded in death by her parents Ben and Lupe Pride, sister Louise Torres, brothers Jim Apodaca and Tuffy Pride. She still has friends and family in Willcox, Safford, and Tucson. Among them are Bill Pride (Yogie), Judy Ramirez (Ed), Kathy Fotheringham (Pete.), Connie Seras (Y.O.), and Delores Soto (Dick), most of whom reside in Tucson. Jennie Lee wished to be cremated and her ashes will be returned to Willcox to be interned in the Pride family plot. In mid-June, there will be a celebration of life for Jennie's friends and family in northern Nevada. In the months thereafter, Jennie's son will accompany her remains to Willcox, when the necessary arrangements have been made. There will be a small service in Willcox for friends and family who wish to attend. Her son will bring some of the many photos of Jennies life and some treasured black and whites from the Double Spear and early Willcox. A Celebration of Life will be 10:00 a.m. on Friday, June 21, 2019 at Westlawn Chapel. If anyone has any old photos of Jennie Lee, the family would love for you to bring them to the service. You may offer condolences or for more information contact Gary Christie at dblspr80@gmail.com or Bill Pride at b72pride@msn.com

Jennie Lee Pride Christie

June 27, 1931 - April 15, 2019