Obituary of Christa Syrett

Christa Syrett died peacefully on Monday, June 20, 2022, at Lexington County Medical Center surrounded by family.  Christa was born in Bad Tolz, Bavaria, and came to the U.S. in 1954. She was the daughter of the late Gertrude Wagner Watkins. 

Christa graduated from Columbia High School and attended Columbia College and Midlands Technical College.  For over 20 years, she was the Administrator of the Academy for Clinical Pastoral Education at the South Carolina State Hospital and retired in 1995. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, as well as an accomplished artist, avid gardener, and great cook.

Christa was married first to the late Edward R. Petermann of Columbia with two children being born of the marriage: Edward R. Petermann, Jr. of New York, and Melcher C. “Mel” Petermann, IV (Beth) of West Columbia.

In 1990, Christa married Spencer Andrew “Andy” Syrett (“She is the best thing that ever happened to me.”) 

She is survived her husband; her two children; and two grandchildren, Margaret R. “Maggie” Petermann and Spencer (Laine) Petermann.  She is also survived by three stepchildren, Dr. Kristen Syrett of New Jersey, Alicia Syrett (James Major) of New York, and Judson Syrett (Samantha) of James Island; five step-grandchildren, Anna Sophia Barrett-Syrett, Nathaniel Barrett-Syrett, Alexis “B.B.” Major, Keegan Syrett, and Sasha Syrett; her brother, Peter Wagner, of Munich, Germany; and her sister, Georgena Britton (Mike) of Henderson, Nevada.

Christa was devoted to her family and her passing leaves a chasm that can never be filled.  The family thanks the doctors, nurses and staff of the hospital who provided exemplary care for Christa during the past two years.

A memorial service will be held for Christa at 3:00pm, Friday, June 24, 2022 in the Chapel of Thompson Funeral Home of Lexington, 4720 Augusta Rd. Lexington, SC.