Martha Childers McLaurine

Martha “Billy” Childers McLaurine, the only child of Iva Clemmons Childers Stover and Hayden Prior Childers, was born on May 7, 1919. On January 26, 2013 she went home to be with her Lord. She lived her entire life in Birmingham, AL.

As a young child “Billy” was recognized for extraordinary musical talent. She performed her first piano solo recital at age five. At age nine, she was accepted as a student at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia.

“Billy” followed her musical dreams into college at Birmingham Southern and Howard College. She did graduate studies at Columbia University and The Juilliard School in New York.

The young Miss Childers met and married George Emmett McLaurine. They celebrated sixty-eight years of marriage before his death in 2006. The three offspring of this union are Jane (Bud) Trammell, Martha Bickford, and George (Julie) McLaurine, Jr.

Grandchildren include Kristin (Stephen) Lindsey, Buddy (Katherine) Trammell, Douglas (Beth) McLaurine, Amy (David) Yeh, and Andy (Dale) Riggs. Great grandchildren are Taylor, Sterling, and Brooke Lindsey, Mary McLaurine and Worth Trammell, Bailey and Sam McLaurine, David, Waylon, and Macs Yeh, Christian Heiens, Reagan Riggs, Mary Kate and Billy McLaurine

Mrs. McLaurine was a recognized piano teacher in Birmingham for over fifty years, often teaching the children of former students. She and her husband were active members of Briarwood Presbyterian Church.

The family wishes to recognize the help of Angels of Mercy Elder Care and the sincere love and dedication of Tonia Hicks, her long time helper, caregiver, and friend.

A memorial service will be held at Johns-Ridouts’ Valley Chapel at 2:30 on January 31, 2013.

Memorials may be made to Briarwood Presbyterian Church Missions, 2200 Briarwood Way, Birmingham, Al 35243 or Lake Crest Presbyterian Church Missions, 560 Lake Crest Drive, Hoover, AL 35226, or John Croyle’s Big Oak Ranch, PO Box 507, Springville, AL 35246.