Peaceably on March 22, 2013, Christine Flowers Tonic, 89 of Washington, D.C., departed this life at Howard University Hospital and transitioned to her Heavenly Home to be with the Lord.

Christine was the youngest child of the late Henry and Zilfphia Flowers, born October 28, 1923 in Craven County—Tuscarora, North Carolina.

She was predeceased by her loving husband, Rudolph A. Tonic; four sisters, Bessie Morse, Sadie Jackson, Maggie Hall, Emma Flowers and one brother, William Ed Flowers.

Christine was educated in the public schools in Craven County, NC. She relocated to Washington, D.C. in the 1940s. She worked in the domestic, hotel and food industry prior to becoming a homemaker. She united with the Isle of Patmos Baptist Church, under the pastorage of Reverend George B. Rogers, in the early 1970's. Prior to that, she was baptized and united, along with her children, as members of the Third Baptist Church, under the pastorage of Reverend Dr. Henry Miles, where she attended noon day prayer services, bible study and introduced her children to Christian discipleship—ensuring that they regularly attended Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Christian Endeavor and Sunday Worhsip Service.

A consumate mother and homemaker, "Baby Girl" as she was affectionately called, loved cooking and preparing meals for family gatherings. Her home was always open and a gathering place for her children and grandchildren to celebrate family events and milestones. While in her presence, you were bound to receive some 'wisdom teaching'. She also enjoyed collecting elephant figurines.

Christine is survived by three loving daughters, Sadie Tonic-Degree, Daisy (Harry) Wade and Delores Wade; five adoring sons, Michael, Anthony (Kim), Harvey, Thomas Carson Adams and William Crockett. Also surviving are twelve grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren; one brother-in-law, Leroy (Laura) Tonic and one sister-in-law. Betty Tonic; two devoted nephews, Raymond Flowers and Dennis Tonic; her last surviving 'girlfriend', Mrs. Mae Della Franklin and a host of nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, March 28, 2013 from 9:00 am until time of service at 11:00 am at the Isle of Patmos Baptist Church, 12th & Rhode Island Avenue, N.E., Washington, D.C. Interment to follow at Fort Lincoln Cemetery, 3401 Bladensburg Road, Brentwood, MD.

Arrangements by Briscoe-Tonic Funeral Home, Mechanicsville, MD.