Barbara A. Childs: 1926 - 2008
Barbara A. Childs, 82, wife of Charles E. Childs and long-time Gaston businesswoman, died at 4:40 a. m. on Friday, November 14, 2008, at Muncie Health & Rehabilitation Center in Muncie. She had been in declining health after suffering a stroke over six years ago, and had been a patient there for over five years.
Mrs. Childs was born at Liberty Center in Wells County on June 9, 1926, a daughter of Alva Manford and Agnes (Markin) Rench. She moved to Gaston with her parents at age nine, and graduated from Gaston High School in 1944.
After completing her education, she worked as the administrative assistant to O. W. Storer, president of the former Muncie Banking Company. She was later married in Gaston on September 9, 1945 to Charles Edward Childs of Matthews.
The couple spent the first months of their marriage in Columbia, South Carolina, where Mr. Childs was stationed with the U. S. Army. Following his military discharge, the couple returned to Gaston, and have been lifelong residents and leaders of that community.
Shortly after returning to Gaston, the couple began working for Barbara’s father at the former A. M. Rench & Sons Lumber Company in Gaston. In 1961 they purchased an interest in the firm, and later purchased the entire business in 1983. Together, they operated the Gaston-Rench Lumber Company for over 40 years, retiring in 1989.
In addition to her family and business concerns, her life was marked by the love and support of her local church. She was a member of the Gaston United Methodist Church, and the GGG Church School class. She sang in the church choir for many years, and had served as the Church School secretary. She was also a member of Purity Order of the Eastern Star in Hartford City.
The surviving relatives include her husband Charles, to whom she was married for over 63 years; a son and daughter-in-law C. Gregory and Dr. Jeanine Childs of Churubusco; three grandsons C. Andrew (Becca) Childs of Indianapolis, J. Perry Childs of Churubusco, and F. Joel Childs of Huntington; and a sister-in-law Esther Rench of Richmond.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers Eugene Rench, Rex A. Rench, and Robert S. Rench; a sister Dorothy F. Sollars; a brother-in-law Joseph P. Sollars; and a sister-in-law Fanniemae Gronendyke Rench.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a. m. on Monday, November 17, 2008, at the Gaston United Methodist Church, 107 N. Main Street, in Gaston. The Rev. John Long, pastor of the church, will officiate.
The family will receive friends at the church on Sunday from 2 to 5 p. m., or one hour prior to the service.
Interment will be in the Thompson Cemetery, west of Gaston.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be given to the Gaston United Methodist Church, 107 N. Main St., Gaston, IN 47342; or the Taylor University Department of Music, 236 W. Reade Ave., Upland, IN 46989
Funeral arrangements are being entrusted to the Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco.
******************************
To leave a condolence for the family in Mrs. Childs’ memory, please click on “Condolences” below. . .
November 14th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
Dear Greg and Jeanine and Kids,
I enjoyed so much reading about your mom. She was beautiful! (The obit doesn’t tell what a wonderful son she raised!) I am sure that she appreciated you and loved you all so much and that you made her life very fulfilled and happy. I know that you will miss her greatly. With love and sympathy for your loss. God bless,
Betty
November 15th, 2008 at 8:31 am
Mr. Childs and Greg, I have lots of memory’s as a young boy helping your mother on odd jobs, such as washing the windows on the house.(I did the outside and she did the inside)I also worked at the lumber yard for a short while, where I learned many things.
Mrs. Childs was always the nicest person!
It is very hard to meet people of her caliber in todays world. I am glad I had the opportunity to have known such a great person.
Once a neighbor, always a friend.
Dwight
November 15th, 2008 at 8:37 am
Dear Greg and Family:
I read your mother’s obituary in today’s paper.
What a legacy she leaves to you and memories that will always live in your heartso that she will seem so near.
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Know that God is good all the time!
November 15th, 2008 at 10:06 am
Greg,
Please accept my deepest condolences on the loss of your Mother. Moms are so very special people in our lives, I know difficult a time it must be. I keep you in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless you and your family.
Bud Whetsel
November 15th, 2008 at 10:26 am
Dear Chuck and Family,
I’m so sorry at your devastating loss. I can only remember Barbara as a loving, caring person. To say that she left a lasting impression on me doesn’t do her justice.
I know that she now resides with her Savior and that should give you all such comfort.
With sympathy,
Joni
November 15th, 2008 at 10:38 am
Greg and Jeanine,
You are in our thoughts and prayers. May God be with your family during this time. God bless.
Tom and Mary Bangs
November 15th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
Chuck and Greg,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. Greg, your parents friendship to my parents was special and always appreciated. Chuck, Barbara was a special lady and is with her savior and now at rest. God Bless.
Warren, Paula & Brittany Brose
November 15th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Dear Jeanine and Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Blessings of peace and comfort,
Barb Hayes
November 15th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
Dear Chuck…we were so sorry to hear your lovely wife has passed away. We thoroughly enjoyed your friendship at church. We are in Florida, so we shall not be able to attend the funeral, but we shall be thinking of you and your family and pray that God gives you strength during your time of sorrow. Bless you all. Dave and Joanie Satterfield
November 15th, 2008 at 10:38 pm
To the family of Barbara Childs,
Our family was sorry to hear about Barbara. We all have fond memories of her at church. She always had a smile for everyone.
Our prayer and thoughts are with all of you at this time.
God Bless.
Pam,Rodney,Kendal,Gloria May and Bud
Scott family
November 16th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Greg, Helen and I want to express our deepest sympathy at the passing of your mother. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and the family at this time.
Helen and Wayne Waters
November 16th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. May memories of your mother give you comfort as you go through this difficult time.
Jim, Patty, McKinzie Schmidt, Jeremy and Rachel Brice
November 17th, 2008 at 11:02 am
Hi Greg,
Monday morning, Ron and Sharon informed me of your mothers passing. I’m sorry I didn’t know sooner or I would have come by. As near as I can recall, the last time I saw you was when you played the organ at one of my parents funeral. I’m sorry for your loss. Trust you have had a good and happy life.
Our Condolences,
David and Teresa Owens
November 17th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
To all of Barbara’s loving family,
I want to say that my prayers are with you. I know you will miss her but also know that she is with her Savior with full hope and assurance that you will meet again! May you feel God’s presence and the love of friends who grieve with you and celebrate Barbara’s life and home-going.
Blessings,
Linda
November 17th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
Dear Greg and Jeanine,
You are in my thoughts and prayers as you are in the midst of this loss. May you know God’s comfort and peace in your grieving.
Faye Chechowich
November 18th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
Greg and Family
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. May God love and embrace all of you as you surrender Barbara into God’s eternal care. May you know the peace of Christ that passes all understanding. May God bless you as richly as you bless all of us.
Blessings
Carolyn Scanlan
November 19th, 2008 at 10:04 am
Dear Greg, I am so sorry for the lose of your mama. I hold you and yours in my heart and prayers during this time and beyond. May you have peace.
November 19th, 2008 at 10:54 am
Greg and Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. May you find comfort in your family and friends during this time.
God bless
Chris & Sarah Tomlinson
November 20th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Chuck, Greg and Family,
I was deeply sorrowed to hear of Barbara’s passing. I know she struggled for a long time, but now has finally received her reward. I enjoyed the times I got to spend with Barbara over the years I worked for the Childs family in Churbusco. She was a great Wife, Mother and Grandmother. She will be greatly missed. You are in our thoughts and prayers, …Doug, Myra and girls
November 21st, 2008 at 1:39 am
Dear Chuck, Greg & Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. Jane shared of Barbara’s passing.What a legacy she leaves to you and memories that will always live in your hearts. My memories of life in Gaston and attending Gaston UMC are fond and I always enjoyed seeing you all there and singing in the choir. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. May God love and embrace all of you as you surrender Barbara into God’s eternal care. May you know the peace of Christ that passes all understanding.
In His Care
Chaplan Ronald & Joy King
Shane & Holly (King) Gouge & little Madison