On Saturday, May 28, 2016, Christine Sorrells quietly and peacefully entered her heavenly home. She gave those that knew her many gifts along her lifetime, but one of the greatest was to always let those she loved know how much they meant to her. When you were loved by Christine, you knew how deeply you were loved. She was a beloved Mom, Sister, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, Aunt, Friend and Mentor to many. She was also the consummate businesswoman, starting a career long before it was in vogue for women to have them.
Christine began her professional life as an Executive Secretary with Atlantic Richfield. Returning to work as her children got older, she worked for Carrier Corporation, rising in responsibility to become a leading sales woman in that industry, which was especially impressive given it was such a male-dominated business. Christine was not a feminist; in fact, just the opposite. But she was extremely smart and had the gift of intuition and perception, attributes that took her career to great heights. Christine moved into the Hospitality industry in 1985, working for Marriott International, Inc. True to form, she was a standout during her Marriott career, becoming a member of the management team at multiple hotels, handling Sales and Catering operations for events at Marriott properties in Houston including Houston Airport Marriott, Marriott in the Medical Center, and The Woodlands Waterway Marriott.
After “retiring”, she began work again, serving as Director of Catering for Bando’s. Most recently, she served as Executive Director at her son’s company Associated Mechanical Services where she worked up until the day she left for heaven. Throughout her career she took on the unofficial role of mentor, becoming an example (and standard-bearer for excellence) for many young people in their careers,
Carolyn Christine (“Christine,” never Carolyn!) Elmer was born on April 22, 1937 in Port Arthur, TX, to O’Brien Elmer and Carrie deValcourt Elmer. She married Mickey Weber in 1957, and moved to Nederland, Texas where she lived for several years and raised her family. In 1978 Christine had a second chance at love, marrying her best friend Gilbert Sorrells. Christine and Gil lived in Kingwood, Texas for many years, until his death in 2003, after which Christine moved to Beaumont to be closer to family.
Christine told those of us close to her that she felt she had been given the gift of a wonderful life, and she was very grateful for that. But during that time, she had heartbreak too. We rejoice now that those tears have turned to joy, as those who went before her have welcomed her to heaven, and she can again be with those she lost, including her son Michael Weber, former husband Mickey Weber, husband Gilbert Sorrells, sister Beulah Morgan, and many other dear nieces, nephews and cousins as well as friends who have been awaiting her arrival in heaven.
She leaves behind, with heavy hearts, sister, Doris Coon; daughters, Mary Poole and husband, David; Rebecca Richardson and husband, James; son, John Weber and wife, Kellie; grandchildren, Jacob Holzknecht and wife, Karen; Katlyn Weber and fiancé, Brian; Jacob Weber; Michael Weber and wife, Cierra; Marissa Weber; Lindsey Rutherford and husband, Trey; Megan Smith and husband, Tabor; great- grandchildren, Boston Smith and Jack Rutherford; nephew, Tommy Coon; nieces, Billie Jean Ewing and husband, Tommy; Jackie Solis and husband, Manuel; Kathy Valka; and Susan McBride and husband, Armand; in addition to many other beloved family and friends.
Christine was passionate about many things: her Catholic faith, her family, her friends, her work, her garden, reading, politics, her cats, her wardrobe, good wine (white, never red), strong coffee, shopping, shoes and clothes-lots of shoes and clothes!
A gathering of Mrs. Sorrells’ family and friends will begin at 5:00 p.m., with a Rosary and Christian Vigil to follow at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, June 2, 2016, at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Friday, June 3, 2016, at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, 6825 Gladys Avenue, Beaumont, with her interment to follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park, Groves.
Memorial contributions may be made to Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas Foundation, 3080 College Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701; or to an animal charity of one’s choice.
