Christine Poarch Secreast passed away at Amorem Hospice Care in Hudson North Carolina, on July 8, 2025, at 91 years of age. A lifelong Caldwell County resident, she made her home in Hudson, where she resided for the last 68 years of her life.  She was a member of Hudson United Methodist Church from the early 1950s until her death.

She was born on March 7, 1934, to Harley and Pauline Propst Poarch, in Lenoir North Carolina, the fourth of five children. Raised at the foot of Hibriten Mountain, she climbed the tower many times during her childhood. Christine graduated from Hudson High School with the class of 1952. Known for her athleticism, she served as President of the Monogram Club, and was Voted Most Athletic during her senior year.

After graduation, she married James "Jim" Secreast", and worked in the textile and hosiery industries prior to her employment at The Hudson Superette, where she retired after thirty-four years.  Christine is probably most recognized in the community through this job, meeting hundreds of customers as a cashier throughout the years.  She never met a stranger and knew everyone in town.   One of her favorite volunteer jobs was serving as the personal manager of The New Breed band, a very popular rock group that included her son Keith, who played the sax and keyboards.  She opened her living room for weekly practices and helped coordinate their gigs during the late sixties with the help of a booking agent.

Her hobbies included cross stitch, cooking, candy making and canning vegetables from the garden.  She loved to pick and can fresh green beans, and was legendary for her homemade tomato juice, pickled okra, jams, jellies, pickled beets, bread and butter pickles, and pepper relish.  She entered many of her canned goods in the county fair where she won over 40 ribbons in two years, most of them taking first place.  Christine was also renowned for her beautiful flowers.  She took pride in her irises, poppies, hibiscus, peonies, and zinnias. An avid fan of basketball and baseball, she bled Carolina Blue and once had the privilege of posing with Dean Smith for a photo.

Of all her roles, she excelled in and loved her job as mother and grandmother.  She never missed a ball game and would often play catch with the grandchildren. She will be remembered fondly for her quick wit, sense of humor, and candor.  She never hesitated to speak her truth and didn't shy away from giving folks a "piece of her mind" when necessary.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Jim Secreast, to whom she was married 73 years; her son, Keith Secreast (Janet) of Wilkes County; her son, Vance Secreast (Lynn) of Hudson; and daughter, Jill Duffy (Doug) of Hickory. In addition to her children, she will be missed by her grandchildren, Cody Wilkins (Angie), Hunter Wilkins (Kristin), Heidi Secreast and Lindsay Secreast. Her legacy also continues through her great-grandchildren, Kaleb, Taiten, Sailer, Sadie Grace, Braylee, Levi, Rosalie, Ellis, Isaac, "Zia" and Sophie.  She loved all the grandchildren and great-grandchildren fiercely, and they adored her. She was preceded in death by her mother, Pauline Propst Poarch Brookshire; father, Harley Poarch; sister, Irene Poarch Holcombe; and brothers, James, Arnold and Clarence Poarch.

Funeral services will be held Monday, July 14, 2025 at 2:00 P.M. at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Dr. Tim Brittain officiating. Interment will immediately follow at Hickman Cemetery of Hudson.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service from 1:00 to 2:00 P.M. at the funeral home.

Donations may be made to Amorem Hospice of Hudson, Hudson United Methodist Church, or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Online condolences may be left at www.greer-mcelveenfuneralhome.com

Greer-McElveen Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the Secreast family.