Clara Ruth Breazealee Childress

Clara was born to Lula and Charles Breazeale on October 22, 1926, in Ethel, Mississippi. Born into a large and loving family, she was the youngest of ten children. She was raised in the close-knit community of Ethel, where strong family ties and Mississippi values shaped the woman she would become.

She graduated from Ethel High School and, at just sixteen years old, joined her older sister at Blue Mountain College—an early reflection of her independence, intelligence, and determination.

In 1944, Clara decided to help the war effort and took a job with the Tennessee Valley Authority in Chattanooga, where she helped draft war maps of the European Theater. Demonstrating her intrepid spirit, she convinced her sister, Ludie, and Ludie’s husband to take her to the train station in Memphis so she could travel alone to Chattanooga. Arriving at midnight, she made her way independently to the Reed Hotel, where she stayed during her first nights in the city.

In 1946, while working at the Mississippi Department of Motor Vehicles, Clara met the love of her life, Edward Bradley Childress Sr., affectionately known as “B’.” They married in 1949 and shared a deep and devoted partnership until his passing in 2008. Together, they were a stunning couple who loved dancing, playing bridge, entertaining friends, and spending time with family.

Clara and B’ raised their two children in Biloxi, Mississippi. Clara built a distinguished career as an executive secretary at Keesler Air Force Base, where her intelligence, professionalism, and strong work ethic led her to become secretary to the commanding general—a position she held until her retirement after decades of service. Her impact was evident at her retirement celebration, when several generals flew in from the Pentagon and other locations to honor and thank her for the role she played in helping them successfully run the base.

Clara lived a full and remarkable life. She and B’ survived the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, and her story of resilience—including saving her husband’s life during the ordeal—was chronicled in both the Coast Sun-Herald and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. After the destruction of their home in Biloxi, they relocated to Roswell, Georgia, to be closer to family. Clara remained deeply grateful for the 99 years God granted her and embraced life with appreciation, grace, and humor.

Clara was a proud Mississippian who loved her family fiercely. She was smart, beautiful, quick-witted, and warm-hearted, with a wonderful sense of humor that stayed with her throughout her life.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Edward Bradley Childress Sr.; her parents; and all of her siblings, including sisters Jewel Brown, Zula McCormick, Ludie Ray Wardlaw, Bea Bailey, and Lilian Love Byrd, and brothers Everett Breazeale, Ed Breazeale, Robert Breazeale, and Grady Breazeale.

Clara’s legacy continues through her son, Edward Bradley Childress Jr. (Brad), and his wife, Jenifer Childress, of Alpharetta, Georgia; and her daughter, Rebecca Childress Gunning (Becca), and her husband, Steve Gunning, of Marietta, Georgia. Her grandchildren include Rebecca Turner and her husband, Charles Turner; Eddie Childress and his late wife, Susann; Katherine Gunning; and Jack Gunning. Clara was a proud great-grandmother to Julia and Ben Turner, and she is remembered with love by many nieces and nephews who held a special place in her heart.

Clara’s greatest legacy was the loving, stable, and secure home she created with B’—a home filled with laughter, respect, and unwavering devotion to family. Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren are deeply grateful for the foundation she and B’ provided and for the example she set of a life lived with integrity, kindness, and gratitude. Clara was a role model in every sense: as a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, professional, and friend. Her influence will continue to guide her family for generations to come.

Visitation will be held Friday, December 26, 2025, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Parkway Funeral Home, 1161 Highland Colony Parkway, Ridgeland, Mississippi 39157.

A Celebration of Life service will take place on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Parkway Funeral Home. Following the service, Clara will be laid to rest in Flora, Mississippi, beside her beloved husband.