Obituary of Christabelle - Mahan

CHRISTABELLE MAHAN (1917 - 2010) Christabelle Mahan, age 93, passed peacefully at her home in Chico on May 28, 2010. She was born in 1917 in Hiawassee, Georgia to parents, Senator William David Rice and Sarah Leona Bowen. In 1946, Chris and her late husband, Walter Mahan, Jr. moved with their two children from Oklahoma to Vallejo, California. In 1950, their third child was born. Chris returned to her studies, attending night school, and graduated from Vallejo High School in 1959 with her son. She then attended Vallejo Jr. College. Chris led a life filled with love of family and dedication to public service. During the Korean conflict, she served as a volunteer in the Red Cross Motor Corp, and taught first aide classes for youth groups. Her leadership talents were well-received as she was elected President of the Grant School PTA, the North Bay Business & Professional Women's Club, and the Vallejo Toastmistress Club. Chris was also a volunteer with her children's youth groups, including Bluebirds, Campfire Girls, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. In her professional career, Chris served for over 20 years with the U.S. Department of Health, Education & Welfare, first as a Social Security Claims Stenographer, and later as a Claims Representative and Office Manager in the Vacaville area. She was appointed to the Workable Program Commission to develop and sustain a program to relocate families displaced by government action. From 1968 to 1975 she served as a Commissioner of the Vallejo Housing Authority, where she was the first woman to be elected as Vice Chair. She was also the representative for the City of Vallejo for Black Lung Disease. Chris and Walter moved to Chico in 1975, where she became the Assistant Manager of the Chico Social Security office. Carrying on her tradition of community involvement, she was installed as President of the Chico Business & Professional Women in 1978, and was soon after appointed to fill a seat on the Chico City Council. Chris also served on the Advisory Board of the Community Home Health Agency, the Children's Home Society, Las Senoras, and the American Business Women's Association. She was honored with a commendation from Mayor James R. Evans upon her retirement in 1980. Chris was also a talented seamstress, quilter and member of the House of Hobbies. She was an accomplished cook and her abundant meals were enjoyed by generations within her family. Christabelle Mahan was preceded in death by her husband, Walter Mahan, Jr.; her brothers, William Claude and William David; and sisters, Della Mae Walrath and Geraldine Newsome. She is survived by her sister, Lou Jean Harris, sister, Gloria Lemcke, and her husband, Paul; William David's wife, Doris; and children, Sandy Anderson, Walter David Mahan, and Charles Leslie Mahan; grandchildren, Shelley, Kelley, Kristy, Tracey, Kim, Keith, Marc, Warren, Andrew, Madison, Tasha and Waylan; as well as her nieces, nephews and great-grandchildren. Private interment will take place on June 3, 2010 and a Celebration of Life will be held on June 26, 2010. In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated to the American Red Cross, 1310 Esplanade, Chico, CA, 95926, or the charity of your choice. You may send condolences online at www.bidwellchapel.com. Guest Book To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of Christabelle - Mahan, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.