Ralph Edward Childress Sr., 85, of Lepanto died Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2006 at his residence in Lepanto.

Born September 28, 1920, in Whitton, Childress was a retired saw mill worker and of the Baptist faith. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corp in WWII.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William Childress and Mary Scott; three sons: Douglas Childress, Robert Childress and Randy Childress; two half sisters: Rena Berry and Eder Cantrell and three half brothers: Taff Haynes, Owen Haynes and Nealey Haynes.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Childress of Lepanto; five daughters: Olruth Willeans and Paulette Wicker, both of Fairfield Bay, Mary Ann Milliman of Coldwater, Mich, Doris Wilkinson of Mt. Morris, Mich. and Ada Fox of Quincy, Mich; six sons: Jimmie Childress of Hasty, Jerry Childress of Coldwater, Mich., Ronnie Childress of Ripley, Tenn., Ralph Childress Jr. of Louisville, Ky., Andy Childress of Cummins and Andrew Gregory of Union City, Mich.; 32 two grandchildren, 55 great-grandchildren and 19 great-great grandchildren.

Services were held Friday, Aug. 18 at Wilson Funeral Home in Tyronza with burial following at Potters Cemetery in Lepanto. Pastor Graig Stull was the officiating minister and Wilson Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.