Jean Venable Childress, 91, of Meadows of Dan, Virginia peacefully transferred her membership from the Church mortal to the Church eternal on October 11, 2021. Although Jean will be sorely missed, we take solace in the fact that her Heavenly Father has opened His loving arms and embraced her as one who is now fully loved, fully healed and finally home.
Jean was born on August 13, 1930 in Traphill, NC to the late Boyd C. Venable and Carrie Sidden Venable. She was married to the late Rev. Robert “Bob” Childress, Jr. whom she met while attending Hillsville High School. After their marriage in 1949, both attended King College. Upon Robert’s graduation from Union Theological Seminary, he received a call to serve two churches in Vance County, North Carolina and Jean enthusiastically settled into her role as pastor’s wife participating in the many facets of church life and ministry.
During her lifetime, she had the unique experience of having her father-in-law, then her husband, then a brother-in-law, and finally a son, serve as her pastor. She was a longtime member of Mayberry Presbyterian Church in Meadows of Dan, Virginia.
Jean was employed at Groundhog Mountain for twenty years, eventually retiring in 1992 as General Manager of Doe Run Lodge. She had a great love of animals and adopted many strays throughout the years. Caring for her beloved pets brought her much joy and assuaged the loneliness that resulted from Robert’s death in 2003.
Jean maintained an inquisitive mind all her life and was always eager to visit new places and try new things. While many in her generation shied away from learning and utilizing new technology and social media, Jean enjoyed getting on her I-Pad to keep up with family and world events and even doing some online shopping.
Jean is survived by sons, Philip Childress (Ann), Stewart Childress (Vickie), Robert “Chip” Childress, III (Cher), Chris Childress (Dawn); sister Patricia Venable Giles (Ed); 5 granddaughters, 3 grandsons, 4 great-granddaughters, 3 great-grandsons, and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends between 6:00 and 8:00 pm on October 22nd at Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel in Hillsville. A private service (family only) will be held at the Buffalo Mountain Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Stewart Childress officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family will be grateful for donations made to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the ASPCA or the Bluemont Presbyterian Church Cemetery Fund. A guestbook is available online by visiting www.vaughanguynnandmcgrady.com. Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady is serving the family.
