God called one of his beautiful angels, Cora Louise Quarles Christmas to her heavenly home on Sunday, September 18, 2011 at the Louisa Healthcare Center.

Cora was born in Louisa County on October 6, 1920 to the late George and Minnie Quarles. Her parents; four brothers, Russell, Robert, Clarence and George Quarles and one sister, Sylena Henson preceded her in death.

She was joined in holy matrimony to Edward Christmas, Sr. To this union, nine children were born. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by three children, Jeanette Bishop, Edna Waddy and Jerry Christmas.

Cora joined Galilee Baptist Church at an early age where she served tirelessly in numerous capacities throughout the years. A devoted member, she was active in many ministries. Some of them included deaconess, missionary, pastor's aide, Sunday School, the James River Baptist Association and the list could go on and on. She was well known as a passionate worshiper to her Savior Jesus Christ through song. She sang solos and also sang with various groups and was an active and dedicated member of the Galilee Baptist Church Senior Choir until her health began to fail.

Cora was a skilled seamstress and often made clothes for her school-aged children as well as quilts and blankets. One of her greatest joys in life was to make others happy by stuffing them with her good cooking! Some of her specialties included fried chicken, ham, potato salad, fresh vegetables, yeast rolls and again the list could go on and on. Though she had those specialties, baking was her passion and weekly (sometimes daily), she was asked to make decorated cakes for others far and near.

In her early years, Cora was a homemaker. Later in life, she worked as a trimmer at Myrna Mills in Mineral and subsequently Louisa Manufacturing, from which she retired.

She was a woman of many, many attributes, but above all else, she was a wonderful woman of God, filled with His Holy Spirit and love of which she passed to all that she met.

She is survived by her three daughters, Clara Aheart of Louisa, Rena (Robert) Garland of Gordonsville and Flora (Raymond) Pace of Goochland; three sons, Edward (Darlene) Christmas, Jr. of Appomattox, Stewart Christmas and Robert (Alice) Christmas of Louisa; 26 grandchildren, 50 great-grandchildren, 15 great-great grandchildren; one brother, Clyde (Adeline) Quarles of Louisa; one sister, Clara (Horace) Bruce of Palmyra; sisters in law, Flossie Quarles of Palmyra, Anna and Marion Quarles of Maryland and Adele Quarles of Louisa; a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

A wake will be held at Galilee Baptist Church, 3598 Three Notch Road, Fern Cliff, VA 23053 on September 23, 2011 from 6-8 p.m.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 24, 2011 at Galilee Baptist Church with Elder Robert Christmas as eulogist.
Interment will follow in the church cemetery.