COLUMBUS — Christine Whitfield, 85, died Jan. 14, 2026. 

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, at Carter’s Funeral Services, with the Rev. Everett Little. Burial will follow in the Union Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2-6 p.m. Friday, at the funeral home. Carter’s Funeral Services is in charge of arrangements. 

Mrs. Whitfield was born May 30, 1940, in St. Louis, Missouri, to the late Ned Whitfield and Leatha Banks Whitfield. She was formerly employed as a registered nurse at Homer Phillips Medical Center.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Kalvin Staples; and siblings, Annie Fox, Annie Lue Whitfield, Earnest Whitfield, James Whitfield and Ronald Whitfield. 

She is survived by her children, Tamara Braxton, Bryant Staples, Smith Willis Moore, Shawn Walker, all of Columbus and Barry Leonard of Peoria, Illinois, Linda Lockett; and 18 grandchildren.