Neil Childress
Daniel Neil Childress, 66, of St. Albans went to be with the Lord in Heaven on Saturday, December 5, 2015 with his loving wife and family by his side at Select Specialty Care, Saint Francis Hospital in Charleston.
He was born April 30, 1949 to the late James D. and Emma Lee Baker Childress. He struggled for many years battling diabetes, renal failure and vascular disease.
Neil was a 1967 graduate of Hurricane High School. He worked in management most of his life with job transfers to Asheville, North Carolina and Jacksonville, Florida where he resided for 23 years. He was a devout Christian and a member of Maranatha Fellowship. He drove the church bus in both Asheville and Jacksonville. Neil touched so many lives being an awesome man of God. He had such an infectious personality and was loved by so many people.
Also preceding him in death was his son, Derick Lee Childress, with whom he is now rejoicing in heaven.
He is survived by the love of his life, caretaker and wife of 35 years, Donna Goins Childress; brother, Roger (Sharon) Childress; children, Jeramie of Milton, Crystal (Jimmy) Elswick, and Shannon (Austin) Silva all of Middleburg, FL, Sherman “Bubby” Bennett of Culloden and Amethyst Childress, who resides with his wife, Donna, in St. Albans; 16 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.
A celebration of his life will be held 1:00 p.m. Thursday, December 10, 2015 at Curry Funeral Home in Alum Creek with Pastor Terry Hogue officiating. Burial will follow at Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans. The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. prior to the service.
The family wishes to express a special thanks to P.A. June Wilson for her compassionate care of Neil and the family; Pastor Nicole Stewart, as well as, many others for praying, singing to and supporting our family during this difficult time; and also Zachary Cole and Dave Simmons for their care and support.
Dear Donna and family, Please accept my heartfelt condolences…. Neil was one of the kindest and gentlest souls I’d ever met; I feel lucky to have known him in my life. He was a terrific role model for all of us kids; a wonderfully loving and Godly man, but what I remember most about him was his terrific sense of humor and the way he was always there for his children, and especially how he adored his wife, Donna. Neil made the world a better place by being in it and I know he will be greatly missed by the many lucky people that entered into his life. Heaven has another Angel watching over us all now. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with his family – Carin Rutherford Creel
Donna, we have never met, but I am a first cousin to Emma Lee. Her mother and my father were sister and brother. When I was younger, in the 60’s, I would visit with Emma Lee and Jimmie. Emma Lee, Jean and I would get together and sing. Neil would try to put a beat in the songs with beating on anything. Well, that didn’t go very far, but we did manage to go to Nashville, TN, to try to get someone to listen to the songs that Emma Lee wrote, which I thought were very good. They said, though, we weren’t any different than what was already in Nashville, so we came home. As time went on, we didn’t keep in touch much, but when I married and moved into the Charleston area, I would call Emma Lee and chat with her from time to time. But being married, having two children and working, I was always busy and we lost contact again. I am so sorry about Neil. He was a pleasure to be around, and I know he will be missed. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers at this time. May God bless you as you go through this trial of life. With His help, He will give you strength to do so. I know it is very hard for you.
Sincerely, Lillian
Donna and family, we are so sorry of Neil’s passing. We will remember you and the family in prayer for God’s guidance and comfort.
Dear Mrs. Childress, Children and Family, may your many shared family memories bring you peace and comfort during this special time. May your prayers bring you “…the peace of God that surpasses all understanding to guard your hearts…” Philippians 4:6,7 Our sincere condolence to all of you.
Bubby, Jeramie and Crystal,
Sorry to hear of the loss of your dad. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Donna and family,
So sorry to hear of Neil’s passing. Our loss is Heaven’s gain.