Harold Maurice Childress

Deacon Harold Maurice Childress,61,of Richmond,Va.,departed this life on Sunday,July 13,2008. He was the eldest son of the late Nathan H. and Celestine W. Childress. In addition to his parents,he was also preceded in death by one brother,Robert S. Childress.Harold was born on April 1, 1947 in Charlottesville,Va. He accepted Christ at the age of 13,being baptized October 5, 1958,after joining Sand Road Baptist Church. He was educated in the Albermarle County public school system and graduated from Jackson P. Burley High School in 1965 as class valedictorian.Harold enthusiastically joined the United States Air Force immediately following his high school graduation. He retired from the Air Force with distinction in 1985,after 20 years of honorable service. His military travels included domestic and foreign assignments including:San Antonio,Texas,Buzzards Bay,Massachusetts,Hampton,Va,Baltimore,Md.Goldsboro,North,Carolina,Limestone,Maine,Panama,and two tours of duty in Vietnam. During his military service,Harold attented many military churches and was an active volunteer in the local communities in which he lived and worked. He served as parish council chairman, head usher,and engaged in numerous church-related activities. He was also the founder and first president of the Loring Air Force Base Chapter of the NPO Academy Graduates Association. He ended his military career at the rank of Senior Master Sergeant.Upon retiring from the military,Harold completed the requirements for a Bachelor of Science degree from Virginia State University,as well as a Master's Degree in Public Administration.with honors,from Virginia State in 1989. He went on to work for Phillips Education Group at Rutledge College as Assistant Director of Financial Aid. In August of 1988,Harold and his family joined First Union Baptist Church,where Harold became an ordained deacon on November 12,1989. He remained a devout member of the church,in which he was honored to serve,and was one of the lead supporters and advocates for the church's building fund efforts. He was a devoted Christian who promoted the principles of Christianity in sickness with unyielding faith. As a principled family man,he never complained although enduring a long-term illness. Harold loved the Lord with his whole heart and belived as Psalms 113:3 states "From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same,the Lord's name is to be praised"Harold leaves to cherish his memory,his loving and devoted wife of 35 years,Willie Mae Childress of Richmond, Va.,three daughters,Venus Bolton(Quentin)and Cynthia Carter(Kevin)of Richmond,Va.,and April Childress of Laurel,Md.;five grandchildren,Paris Sutherlin,Jaden Bolton,Mireya Bolton,Briana Childress and Kristina Carter,all of Richmond,Va.;two sisters,Roberta McIntosh(James)od Crozet,Va. and Dr. Rosemary Hayes of Charlottesville,Va.;three brothers,Beta Childress of Odenton,Md.,Nathaniel Childress of Richmond,Va. and John Childress(Valanta)of Charlottesville,Va.;six aunts,Lucy Hughes of Fort Washington,Md.,Imogene Porter of Ashton,Pa.,Shirley Brown,Alzellia Hughes,and Mabel Jones,all of Charlottesville,Va.,and Edith Peterson of Huntington Beach,Ca.,dedicated sister-in-law,Joyce Hamlin,special friends,John Brackett and Margaret Hall,and a host of nieces,nephews,cousins,other relatives and friends.

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Harold Maurice Childress

April 1, 1947 - July 13, 2008