Rowland Christopher (Chris) Born, 61, passed away suddenly at home in Wesley Chapel, Florida on May 4, 2026. Chris was born in Atlanta, Georgia on July 13, 1964 to Beverly Anita Born and the late Bartow Daniel Ragsdale. He grew up in Atlanta where he was an avid sports enthusiast, active in youth choirs and the church sports program at Briarlake Baptist Church also playing football, basketball, and baseball at Tucker High School. Graduating from Tucker High School in 1982 Chris went on to attend Georgia Southern University. He later earned his Associate Degree from Hillsborough Community College and currently was a college senior at Grand Canyon University working on his bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education.

Chris worked as a tax assessor and umpired baseball in Blue Ridge, Georgia and Colorado for many years at the high school and college level, and ran an appraisal business in West Pueblo, Colorado. Upon moving to Wesley Chapel, Florida he became a paraprofessional at Eastside Elementary School in Brooksville, Florida where he was known as the "voice of Eastside," leading their morning announcements and the Pledge of Allegiance with Eastside students.

Chris was dearly loved by his family and will be greatly missed. He is survived by his loving fiancee Cynthia Ellis Saunders, mother and stepfather Beverly Born Long (Clay) Turner, sisters Elizabeth Ragsdale Cantrell, Jennifer Long Stanfield, and Terri (Paul) Byrd and brothers Frank Ragsdale, Coy (Dione) Turner, III, Steven Long, and Joel (Marcela) Long and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family will receive friends at Akins-Cobb Funerals & Cremations, Blue Ridge, Georgia on Saturday, May 9, 2026 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Claude Mathis officiating. The family will have a private burial service at Chastain Memorial Park after the service. Pallbearers are Jamie Born, Michael Tammen, Adam Born, Aaron Born, Frank Vashaw, and Daren Dorfman. Honorary pallbearers are Micah Born, Cal Pope, Jacob Born, Cooper Born, Parker Born, Dakota Born, and Jeremy Tammen.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations in honor of Chris be made to Eastside Elementary School in Brooksville, Florida at 27151 Roper Road, Brooksville, Florida 34602.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.akinscobb.com

Akins-Cobb Funerals & Cremations of Blue Ridge, Georgia is in charge of these arrangements.