Christa Lynn Kendrick

Christa Lynn Kendrick, 50, a veteran law enforcement officer, died Dec. 11 at her Atlanta home after a courageous battle with melanoma.

Born in Columbus, Ga., Christa graduated from Thomson High School in 1986 and then studied at the University of Georgia. She received her bachelor’s degree from the College of Charleston. She went on to graduate from the DeKalb County Police Department’s 49th Academy.

Christa proudly served her community as a police officer, working 10 years with the DeKalb County Police Department as an officer and detective, followed by 13 years as an investigator for the Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office.

Christa loved spending time with family and friends, and always found a way to make a special connection with everyone she met. Always impeccably dressed with spotless sassy shoes, Christa had a southern grace and kindness unsurpassed. She also was a master prankster and had a contagious laugh and beautiful smile that will be missed more than anything. Christa enjoyed travel, adventure, Atlanta Falcons football and sharing a cold beer with friends.

Christa is preceded in death by her beloved mother, Patricia “Molly” Lokey, her grandparents and brother Travis Kendrick. She is survived by wife, Paula “Mexico Murph” Dowell; father, Walter “Bubba” Kendrick and wife Kay; stepfather, Walter Lokey; sisters, Susan “Toodie” Schuenemann and husband Robert “Baldy,” and Angie Sewell and husband Dewayne; brothers Larry “Boobalooba” Kendrick and partner Margie Carter, and Barry “Boomba” Kendrick and partner Angie Burdette; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

A celebration of life will be held in January, 2019. In lieu of flowers, Christa and the family request donations be made to Christa’s Melanoma Research Memorial Fund (https://www.gofundme.com ) to support melanoma research and patients at Emory University’s Winship Cancer Institute.