Christine Ariail

Christine Vestal Ariail, age 99, a long-time resident of Spartanburg and the Summit Hills Retirement Community, died peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, July 12, 2017. Chris was born November 21, 1917, the youngest (and last surviving) of the six children of May Shemwell Vestal and Dr. Willis J. Vestal of Lexington, NC. After graduating from the Lexington schools, Chris attended Woman's College of the University of North Carolina, in Greensboro. She met her husband on a blind double date and remembered thinking, "I hope my date is the handsome one," as she watched them walk up to the house. He was. Chris married William Coke Ariail, Jr., a young textile executive with Reeves Brothers, in 1940. Their first child was born while Bill was training to fight in World War II. Upon his safe return, she took up her life's work of raising a family and making beautiful homes in each place the company sent them: Woodruff, Rutherfordton, Chesnee and Saxon were followed by a stint in Summit, New Jersey, when Bill commuted to the New York office. Near the end of Bill's career, the Ariails returned to Spartanburg in 1968, where Chris made yet another lovely home and became active in Trinity United Methodist Church. She participated regularly in her Circle, and for many years served on the Wedding Committee helping prepare the church for the joining of many new couples. People interested Chris more than any other aspect of life, and she had the gift of making cheerful acquaintance and lasting friendships. She was loyal, loving and fun-loving, and her friendship was not for a day, but for decades. She loved entertaining her friends in her beautiful homes and had people over frequently throughout her life. Although she endured struggles and the terrible loss of her youngest child, Bonnie Lee Ariail at age 14, she was a happy person, and people flocked around her. When her health began to decline she moved to Summit Hills, where she made many new friends. Chris is survived by her son, William Coke Ariail, III of Durham, NC, and his wife Kate; and by her daughter, Janis Christine Ariail Everson of Richmond, VA. She is also survived by her faithful companion and assistant, Viola Cothran, whose kindness and generosity greatly relieved the burdens of age and infirmity. Chris' youngest child, Bonnie, died in 1969, and her husband Bill in 1987. Chris will be buried with them in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, Spartanburg, SC. A graveside service will be held at 3:00 PM Sunday, July 16, 2017, in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, 1300 Fernwood-Glendale Rd., Spartanburg, SC 29307, with the Rev. A. Mickey Fisher officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 626 Norwood Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302. Floyd's North Church Street Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Christine Vestal Ariail please visit our Sympathy Store.