Christine Held

Clayton, NC – Christine “Tina” Marie (Warner) Held, 71, passed away peacefully on 9 March 2022 following a brave and brief second battle with cancer. Her devoted husband and loving sons were by her side, holding her hands and easing her passing. Tina was born 21 May 1950 in Toledo, Ohio, to David and Eleanor (Vasitis) Warner. After graduating from Central Catholic High School in 1969, she became enamored with Lance Corporal Edward Held (USMC), a pen pal in Vietnam that she began writing at the behest of a close childhood friend. An unlikely pair of differing faiths and backgrounds, they had a love that defied the naysayers and endured an impressive 53 years. She went from city life growing up in Toledo to starting a family of her own in rural Owosso, Michigan. Tina took care of her two boys, Brian and Daniel, while on the farm. She took a job at Kenco Plastics, where her no-nonsense attitude gained her respect and many friends. Fed up with the Michigan winters, the family took the opportunity to move to Clayton, North Carolina, where she used her manufacturing experience working for John Deere. She retired in 2014, so she could focus on the things she loved most: spending endless hours “putzing” in the yard, doing crossword puzzles, and spending evenings on the front porch. With her wry smile, she would often quip that “Ed didn’t move me far enough south” because of the occasional snow here. Tina is survived by her husband, Edward; her two sons, Brian (Tina) and Daniel (Jennifer) Held; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her loving brothers Paul Warner of Ohio and David (Karen) Warner of Arizona. She was preceded in death by her parents David and Eleanor Warner, her infant sister Monica, and granddaughter Stephanie. A celebration of life is planned for 2 pm on Saturday, 12 March, at the family home in Clayton. Memorial Service will occur Sunday, 13 March, from 3 pm to 5 pm at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, Garner Chapel, 1200 Benson Rd, Garner, NC 27529. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a charity of your choice on Tina’s behalf.