MIDLOTHIAN, Va. — Margaret Wallace Christian, died at the age of 98 on Sunday, Oct. 10, 2010, at Spring Arbor in Midlothian.

A native of Woodville, Miss., she was born on May 17, 1912. She married the Rev. Dr. William Gerow Christian in July 1934, and the two began a ministry which she shared with him in every sense of the word. For many years, they were at All Saints’ Episcopal School and Junior College in Vicksburg. In 1958, they moved back to Dr. Christian’s family home in Powhatan County, Va. For the next 40 years, Dr. Christian served in many capacities in the Diocese of Southern Virginia. Dr. Christian died in 1998. Mrs. Christian continued to express God’s love in all that she did, especially through painting and flower-arranging. She was a lovely and affirming person to all she came in contact with, and many whose lives were enriched by her presence will remember her smile and “handfuls of love.”

She is survived by her children, William G. Christian Jr. of Houston, Dixon W. Christian of Richmond and Margaret C. Riethmiller of Lexington, Va. She took great joy and pride in her four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

A memorial service begins at 11 a.m. Saturday at Grace & Holy Trinity Episcopal Church.

The family suggests that, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Grace & Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 8 N. Laurel St., Richmond, VA 23220, to Manakin Episcopal Church, 985 Huguenot Trail, Midlothian, VA 23113, or to Jackson-Feild Home, 2800 Patterson Ave., Suite 302, Richmond, VA 23221.