After becoming a single mother at 20, Christine Yvette Whitaker lived a busy, vibrant life with her daughters in tow. No matter where she went, you saw her with her first daughter, Nashay, and her second daughter, Chikeena, who soon followed.
Even though Chrissy was determined to do the best she could for her two daughters, a rough environment in North Philly got the best of her for a time and she struggled with depression, mental illness and drug abuse during the years of early motherhood. At one point, Chrissy left her family to be by herself, intent to get her life together. About a month later, Christine reunited with her daughters and settled in Northwest Philadelphia.
More focused and determined to be her best self, she was a proud, devoted mother to her daughters. Her two daughters were in their teens when another one, Shaniyah was on the way.
“Not long after my youngest sister was born,” Chikeena said, “my mom made up her mind to go back to school and get her high school diploma.” Christine enrolled in the night classes at South Philadelphia High School. “It was a proud moment when she received her high school diploma. Mom also got the Presidential Award,” said Chikeena, who clearly was her mother’s best cheerleader.
Before she was killed in East Germantown at 56 years young, another one of Christine’s proudest achievements was celebrating 23 years drug-free. Once she conquered her own adversities, she devoted her life and her time to helping other women get on their feet. Christine got great satisfaction working in Job Corps for a while and doing community service; distributing food and clothing to people in and out of the community.
The middle child of Shirley Whitaker and Clarence Williams, Chrissy was born on October 8, 1965. She spent her young years and attended school in South Philadelphia. People who knew her described her as likable, caring, and witty. Those close to her called her “Chrissy.” Many remember how much she liked to make people laugh.
Sometimes, Chikeena said, she was urged by friends to “turn it down a notch” to which she replied, “I don’t turn down nothing but my collar!”
“My mother loved singing, dancing, and cooking. I will especially miss her chicken and dumplings. She also liked to make sweet potato cheesecake and pineapple upside-down cheesecake. In addition to the talks that we shared early in the mornings while watching some of her favorite shows like Good Times and Golden Girls, I know I will miss her laughter most of all,” Chikeena stated.
Sometimes, she opened her home to young women who fell on tough times because she understood their struggle. Paying it forward is something she believed in doing. This did not always turn out well.
Despite warnings from friends and family, Christine tried to extend a generous hand to those in need whenever she could. Ultimately, one night, this led to a tragic result when she was gunned down in the basement of her Mayland Street home on February 21, 2022, allegedly by the son of a friend. That suspect is now in custody.
Services were held at the Grand Yesha Ballroom on March 5, 2022. Her life and legacy will be cherished by her 3 daughters, her 11 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, 1 brother and 1 sister; and a host of other family and friends. Her parents and youngest sister preceded her in death.
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