News Summary
Joanne Christian Modlin, a cherished educator and community advocate from Smithfield, has passed away at the age of 92. Renowned for her dedication to education and heritage preservation, Modlin leaves behind a lasting legacy shaped by her commitment to the community she served. Known for her involvement in local organizations, her influence will be fondly remembered by family and friends alike. Modlin is survived by her husband and sons, along with numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Smithfield, VA – Joanne Christian Modlin, a longtime resident of Smithfield, passed away on October 23, 2025, at the age of 92 at Williamsburg Landing in Williamsburg, Virginia. Known for her contributions to the community and her commitment to education, Modlin leaves a legacy of civic involvement and family devotion.
Born on April 7, 1933, in Bristol, Virginia, Modlin spent most of her life in Smithfield. After graduating from Smithfield High School, she furthered her education at Randolph-Macon Woman’s College before transferring to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she earned Phi Beta Kappa honors. During her time at UNC, she was an active member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority.
Modlin’s career was marked by her dedication to teaching. She taught high school grades in both Smithfield and Virginia Beach, Virginia, as well as seventh grade in Hinesville, Georgia. In addition to her teaching career, she was involved in the real estate sector for many years, reflecting her diverse professional interests.
Beyond her teaching and real estate endeavors, Modlin was a passionate advocate for preserving Smithfield’s historical and architectural heritage. She served for many years as a member and chairperson of the Smithfield Historic and Architectural Review Committee. Additionally, she was a past board member of Ivy Hill Cemetery and became a member emeritus of the Smithfield Shakespeare Class after over forty years of participation, demonstrating her long-standing commitment to the community’s cultural life.
Modlin was preceded in death by her parents, Joe David Christian and Alice Luter Christian, her brother, Robert Christian, and her great-granddaughter, Elizabeth Naomi Arnold. She is survived by her husband of seventy years, Charles Robert Modlin, as well as two sons and their spouses: Robert Christian Modlin and Paitra Moore Modlin; Brian Davis Modlin and Nancy Spady Modlin. Her family also includes grandchildren Charles Christian Modlin, Christina Grace Modlin, John Devin Arnold, and his wife Hannah Bradshaw Arnold, and great-grandsons Phineas Brock Arnold, Woodrow Hundley Grey Arnold, and Lawrence Alexander Arnold. Additional surviving family members include her brothers and sisters-in-law: William L. and Susan Abbott Christian; Dr. Joe D. and Ann Claborne Pope Christian; John G. and Harriet Ziegler Christian; Cynthia Rotty Christian; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A private family service will be held at a later date to honor Modlin’s life and contributions. Instead of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Western Tidewater Free Clinic located at 2019 Meade Parkway, Suffolk, VA 23434, or to a charity of choice in her memory. Online condolences may be registered at www.littlesfuneralhome.com.
Joanne Christian Modlin will be remembered fondly for her unwavering support of education, heritage preservation, and community service, as well as for the warm and loving family she leaves behind.
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Additional Resources
- Little’s Funeral Home: Joanne Modlin Obituary
- Wikipedia: Smithfield, Virginia
- Little’s Funeral Home: Joanne Modlin Biography
- Google Search: Joanne Modlin
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
Author: STAFF HERE WILLIAMSBURG WRITER
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