Dr. Claiborne Jones Christian, III was born to Claiborne Jones Christian, Jr. and Myrtle Coleman Christian in Richmond, Virginia. Known to many as “Clai”, he matriculated in Henrico County schools and excelled in academics and athletics. As a scholar-athlete, Clai graduated from Highland Springs High School where he participated in several sports including track, wrestling, and football. He played both offense and defense on the football team, and as a captain, helped lead the Springers to become the 1987 Central Region champions. In later years, he was named to the Highland Springs High School 1980s All-Decade Team. He earned his B.S. in Psychology from Towson State University in Maryland, where he continued to play football and joined Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Clai advanced his education by earning a M.S. in Psychology from Virginia State University and a Psy. D. in Counseling Psychology from California Coast University. Clai married the former Karen Dale Williams and from that union, they have two children: daughter, Kailen Sadie Christian and son, Claiborne “CJ” Jones Christian, IV.

Professionally, Clai was a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in both Florida and Virginia. Clai loved to learn and hone his craft as a counselor, and he earned and held many professional certifications and designations within his field including being ordained by the International Association of Christian Clinical Counselors. He was the proprietor of Waychangers Services, a full- service mental health counseling agency. Clai also pursued other entrepreneurial opportunities over the years including real estate investments and stock trading among other ventures.

Clai came to Christ at an early age and was baptized at Cedar Street Baptist Church. He was a member of the Voices of Joy, Butler Ushers, the Cub Scouts, and Cedaralettes. After relocating to Florida, he joined Revealing Truth Ministries in Tampa. His faith was a key part of his identity. He loved God, life, his family and friends, music, cars, football, and business ideas. Clai was ambitious, competitive, and generous. He was a quick-witted and loyal friend with a great sense of humor and loved to laugh. Clai was a proud father and took every opportunity to talk about his children. These attributes made him a beloved son, husband, father, friend, and counselor who had a profound and memorable impact on his family, friends, colleagues, and clients.

Clai is preceded in death by his father. He leaves to cherish his memory, his devoted mother, Myrtle Coleman Christian; his loving wife, Karen Dale Williams Christian; daughter, Kailen Sadie Christian; son, Claiborne “CJ” Jones Christian, IV; and a host of family and beloved friends.