After the dismissal bell rang and the hallways became empty once more, you might have seen Dr. Felecia Christian gliding across the floor on roller skates, a grin on her face and a spark in her eyes. To those who knew her, this was just one of the many ways she brought joy and energy to the county.

      “She always found a way to find happiness in everything,” English and Special Education Teacher Sayward Labrador said. “Whether it was roller skating or her drive to work, she never let a day go by without finding something good in it.”

      Dr. Christian started her career at the high school during the 2016-2017 school year and worked as an assistant principal and special education coordinator during that time.

      “In her nine-year career here in Louisa County, she exhibited strength, grit, and grace,” Superintendent Doug Straley wrote in an email. “Those qualities never wavered.”

      Dr. Christian implemented many changes to the special education department. She helped form the Lion’s Brew, in which students in the special education program make coffee that teachers can order every morning. She also created the Tournament of Champions, where students compete in an Olympic-style tournament. 

      “She was an integral part of that and just a life force in this place,” Labrador said. “She really wanted to make sure that everybody felt included and that they had the ability to be part of the school.”

      Dr. Christian was revered by colleagues such as Labrador because of the attention and care she put into her job and the special education department. 

      “She loved everybody, especially the kids here,” Labrador said. “She thought of us as an extension of her family and put her heart and soul into everything that she did, and she did a lot for our department and for the school.”

      Dr. Christian also created a space in her office for her colleagues to visit whenever they needed a friend to talk to and provide comfort and inspiration. 

     “In many ways, Felecia’s office felt like heaven on earth—a place where the weight of the ‘job’ and the world could be set aside, where we could find clarity and peace amid the daily chaos many of us are all too familiar with,” special education Teacher Virginia Seay wrote in an email. “Her office was a haven for us. It was a space filled with encouragement, where we were always reminded of our worth and ability.”

      Dr. Christian’s official obituary is available here. Those who knew her are encouraged to pay their respects and share stories of her impact on the community. 

      Louisa County is also honoring the memories of Darrell Tinsley from Trevilians Elementary School,  Chap Johnson from Central Office, and Kathryn Simmons from Transportation, who recently passed away.

      “Each of them – in their own unique way – created a legacy that will be cherished by all of us for years to come,” Straley wrote. “We will continue to support their families throughout this difficult time, and we will carry on in a way that makes them proud: with strength, courage, and determination.”