Obituary of Wilson Parker Childress

Wilson Parker Childress passed away May 13, 2015. He was born June 21, 1924 in McCrory, Arkansas, to Claude Thomas and Mary Parker Childress, but spent most of his childhood in Alabama. He is survived by his wife of nearly 64 years, Ruth Carpenter Childress; daughters Karene Henson and Donna (Ron) McCullough; sons George (Mary Lynn) Childress and Scott (Anne) Childress; grandchildren Wesley (Patty) Henson, Whitman (Christie) Welch, Allison Childress, Drake Childress, Carson Childress, Caroline Childress, Madeleine Childress, and Parker Childress; step-grandchildren Ron (Kim) McCullough, Rebekah (James) Quakenbush, Rachel (Jeff) Perry, 14 great grandchildren; and a large number of nieces and nephews. Mr. Childress was preceded in death by his parents; brothers CT Childress, Roy Childress, and Dan Childress; sisters Elna Tice and Marie Stroud; and son-in-law Philip Henson. Mr. Childress lived out his Christian faith in service on the state and local level with the Alabama Baptist Convention. He was a longtime member and Deacon Emeritus at First Baptist Church of Roanoke, Alabama, having been ordained as a deacon at First Baptist Church of Opelika, Alabama. Throughout his life, he mentored many young men in their Christian walk. Mr. Childress was a 1949 graduate of Alabama Polytechnic Institute (now Auburn University), a veteran of World War II where he served in the China Burma India Theater, and a survivor of the sinking in WWII of the HMS Rhona. After several years with the Lee County Extension Service, he had a long and successful career with Liberty National Life Insurance Company, receiving several sales and leadership awards. Following retirement from Liberty National, he co-owned and operated Ten Toes Family Shoe Center in downtown Roanoke for 15 years. Mr. Childress was past president of Opelika Lions Club, past president of Roanoke Rotary Club, and was named a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International. Visitation will be at Quattlebaum’s Funeral Home from 4-7 pm on Friday, May 15. Funeral service will be at 11 am on Saturday, May 16, at First Baptist Church, Roanoke, AL. His body will lie in state at the church one hour prior to the service. Dr. Ben Baillie, Rev. Larry Armstrong, and Rev. Steve Dean are officiating. Interment will follow in Randolph Memory Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Roanoke First Baptist Church, 827 Main Street, Roanoke, AL 36274 or to LifeChoice Hospice, 4455 Highway 431, Roanoke, AL 36274.