Christel Underwood Halloran of Virginia Beach, VA, Born January 3, 1937 - March 24, 2019, died peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family. She was 82 years young.  

She was preceded in death by her parents; Emma Hedwig Czaya & Karl Alexander Kessler, husband; Kenneth Halloran and sister; Margot Gisch of Blieskastel Germany.  She is survived by daughter; Christina Underwood of Roanoke Rapids, NC, two grandsons; Christopher Horn of Wilmington, NC, Marcus Fuss of Big Stone Gap, VA, two great grandsons; Maddox Collins of Wilmington, NC, Jesiah Fuss of Sacramento, CA; niece & her husband; Judith & Claus Mueller, also of Bleiskastel Germany & their son & wife, Timo & Carina Klingelhofer.

Christel was a force of nature. Her first husband Jerry Underwood & her met while he was in the Air Force stationed at Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany.  Jerry brought her to this country in 1963, they settled in Emporia Virginia, she taught herself English while working at Southampton Textile.

She then went to work at Leath's Drug Store before becoming the manager then owner of Cato's.  After 15 years, she then went to work at Georgia-Pacific in Emporia, VA, before becoming disabled in 1985.

In the years after she was disabled, her husband Ken & her traveled extensively. She partied for Mardi Gras in New Orleans, then it was on to Phoenix, AZ, to the Grand Canyon, from there they traveled to Scottsdale, AZ. They eventually settled down in Virginia Beach, VA in 1990. In 1991 her husband succumbed to pneumonia. Christel remained in Virginia Beach, VA, moving to the Russell House in 2000.

She lived a tough, hard, life, but she was surrounded with many friends & her daughter was with her until the very end. She will be missed by all. Soar with the Angels Mom, you deserve peace now, it's time for you to rest easy.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Russell House Commons Area in Virginia Beach on April 7 at 3 pm. (900 First Colonial Road, Va. Beach).

Online condolences may be left at hockadayfs.com