Randy Lee Childress

Randy Lee Childress died December 6th, 2025, at the age of 71. He was predeceased by his father, Wilbur Herbert Childress. Surviving family include his wife of 40 years, Teresa Arnold; his children, Spencer (and wife McKenzie), Anna (and fiancé Rodney Wallace), and Lesley Bennett; his grandsons, Chris and Steven Vinson; his great-grandchildren, Elijah and Abby Vinson; his mother, Ann; his brothers, Jim (Vanessa), Charles (Paula), and Blake (Becky); and many beloved nephews and nieces.

Randy was a talented guy: a custom woodworker; a devout environmentalist (he recycled before recycling was popular); a Master Waste Educator; a gifted teacher; an incredibly knowledgeable geographer; a devoted gardener (he never met a weed); a pragmatic liberal; and a prolific "Rant and Raver" in our local Free Times (he once got nine of his rants published on one day). Most of all, he was a proud husband and father.

Randy was skilled at renovations and was a general contractor for many years. His favorite job, however, was building sets for the Theater Department at the University of South Carolina. He was also a Social Studies teacher at Hand Middle School, lovingly remembered by many of his students for his antics in the classroom.

He was an Army brat and traveled the world—from Japan to Panama. His passion for travel only grew as he became an adult, loving other cultures and peoples. He greeted everyone he met with a smile and an open heart, ever curious and always talkative.

Randy was also a giver. He rang bells for the Salvation Army, volunteered as a House Parent with his wife at Christmas for ten years (they were awarded the Midlands Family of the Year), used his building skills with Habitat for Humanity, and gave over 16 gallons of blood to the Red Cross. Not being able to give blood was one of his greatest regrets from contracting cancer.

He earned a Master's and undergraduate degree in Geography from the University of South Carolina. He was an honor graduate of the carpentry and cabinet making program at Midlands Tech.

“I love you and I like you,” was his mantra that he spoke to his wife every morning over coffee.

Randy will be interred at Elmwood Cemetery in Columbia, South Carolina, on Sunday, December 28th, in a private ceremony. A Celebration of Life will be announced later.