Louise Christa

Ella Louise Christa (Jolly), 74, of Hazel Green, was born on September 1, 1951, and passed away on Monday, January 5, 2026, at her home, surrounded by loved ones.

Ella, though many called her Louise or Lou for short, was preceded in death by her husband, Alvie Joe Christa; her parents, Mary Elizabeth and Lester Sylvester Jolly; her brothers, Lester Ray Jolly (Lil Man) and Bobby Eugene Jolly Sr.; her sisters, Polly B. Rojas and Judy Upton; and her nephew, Bobby Eugene Jolly Jr., whom she raised as her own.

She is survived by her sons, Billy (Christy) Christa and Tony Christa (Sara); her daughters, Paula McCary (Paul) and Melissa Wilbourn (Matt); her brother, James Earl Jolly (Madie); and her sisters, Donna Kay Wilbourn (Dale), Pamela Louise Burnell (Dennis), and Lucy Florence Locke (Jimmy).

Ella is also survived by her grandchildren, Shane McCary (MaHaley), Johnathan Wilson, Matthew Wilson, Ashley (Aaron), Zoe Mitchell, Alexis Wisener, and Jasmine Jolly, as well as several great-grandchildren: Alaya McCary, Keeley McCary (unborn), Tommy Nelson, Serenity Jordan, Cameron Jordan, and Diego Ramirez.

Ella, who was better known as Louise or “Lou,” was the life of her family and every party. She loved to have fun and enjoy the little things in life. She loved her family with every beat of her heart and became MawMaw to many. She even took on many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews as her own grandchildren because of her deep love for family.

She worked early in life but later gave it up to grow her family and become a housewife, which meant more to her than anything else in the world.

Ella enjoyed her morning coffee throughout the day. Even during hot summer days, she would sit on the porch watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren play in the yard while sipping on her coffee.

She loved her Alabama football team—ROLL TIDE!

She always looked forward to her birthday because it marked kickoff season, fish fry day, and party time for her; she was always ready to have a good time.

Throughout her life, she was a wife, a mother, an aunt, and an even better MawMaw/Nana—titles she loved most. She was a gentle hand and a voice of reason, as well as a strong hand when she needed to be.

To know Lou was to love Lou. Saying she will be missed is an understatement, but we all know she is healthy, happy, able to breathe freely, and partying with our loved ones in Heaven.

The family will receive friends on Saturday beginning at 11:00 a.m. at Hazel Green Funeral Home. Funeral services will follow at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Hazel Green Funeral Home is honored to serve the family.