In his book, "Old Money, New South," Dean Arnold creates a kaleidoscopic mural of the spirit of Chattanooga by documenting the contributions of so many community leaders and their families: the Probascos, McCallies, Luptons, Maclellans and many others. Their insight, success and graciousness are legendary, and we owe them a debt of gratitude. However, many other lesser known citizens made invaluable contributions, as well.
One such remarkable lady is Christine Little, who was instrumental in the establishment and success of Hospice of Chattanooga. In 1943, Christine was 16 years old when she left the family farm in Newnan, Ga., to attend nursing school in Atlanta. While her father feared Christine might "lose her soul to the devil" in the big city, her mother encouraged her bright young daughter to follow her dreams.
Christine finished nursing school through the U.S. Army Cadet Nurse Corps, where she was valedictorian of her class. In October 1945, she and several senior classmates were walking to a local eatery after church. Two young Army Air Corps officers on furlough spotted the girls and followed them into the Varsity Drive-In. There, 2nd Lt. Henry Little, a recent graduate of B-29 bombardier training, introduced himself to the woman who would share his life for the next 68 years.
After marriage in 1946, the newlyweds moved to Chattanooga, where Henry was hired as an engineer for Tennessee Paper Mills. Christine pursued her passion in nursing but after several years put it on hold while she raised their four children. Eventually, she returned to nursing part time in the Memorial Hospital surgical unit. She also took courses at the UTC School of Nursing and received her bachelor's degree at the age of 57 in 1982. Somehow, she still found time to volunteer with the Health Department, particularly in the area they termed "Dying Patients."
At UTC, she chose oncology as her specialty, and in her research she read "Death and Dying" by Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, who was a pioneer in promoting hospice care in the 1960s. Her medical field was not intended to make patients better but to help them die with grace and dignity when there was no hope of healing. The book made a huge impact on Christine and resonated naturally with her Christian faith.
Kubler-Ross advocated a two pronged approach to assist dying patients. First was pain relief which required non-traditional medical prescriptions. Second was mental relief, or "therapeutic reminiscing" from the stress accompanying the end of one's life.
In 1981 when Hospice of Chattanooga opened, there were only 75 such facilities in the country. Christine was a charter volunteer and a tireless worker. Because of her and many others, Hospice of Chattanooga flourished and today serves 18 surrounding counties and thousands of patients. She has also taught multiple courses in hospice care to medical staff at colleges and nursing programs in our community since 1982. Additionally, she and Henry established an endowment in 1979 to fund a scholarship for students attending nursing training. Their endowment has funded students every year since.
Christine reflects the spirit of Chattanooga superbly. It is especially fitting this time of year to acknowledge someone who has given so much to bring comfort and peace to those who face the most difficult moments of their lives. She begins her lectures by quoting the third chapter of Ecclesiastes: "To everything there is a season a time to be born, and a time to die." Christine's selfless service has allowed thousands to die with the same grace and dignity with which they lived. Thank you, Christine, and merry Christmas from a gracious community.
Roger Smith, a local author, is a frequent contributor to the Times Free Press.