Florence Alberta Childress McCroskey

MCCROSKEY, FLORENCE ALBERTA CHILDRESS – age 89 went to be with the Lord on February 1, 2012 at the home of her son Wiley and his wife Linda McCroskey. Known as Alberta, she was born in Knoxville to Charles Lee and Nancy Riddle Childress on November 10, 1922. In 1940 she graduated from Rule High School and was married in 1944 to Wiley Haskle McCroskey who preceded her in death in 1990. They had four children: Mary Kate McCroskey Ashworth, Stanley Allen McCroskey, Rodney Kent McCroskey, and Wiley Ross McCroskey all of whom have survived her along with their spouses, Linda, and Debbie McCroskey and Phil Ashworth. In 1982 she retired from Bell South to spend time as a care-giver for her husband and to spend more time with her family. Alberta was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and nine siblings, but she is survived by her brother Edward Childress and his wife Joann, and nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews, and cousins that are too numerous to list. She also had 14 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. Her grandchildren are Lisa McCroskey Hoffman, Tara McCroskey, Erin McCroskey, Mallory McCroskey Peak, Chanin Ashworth Gilman, Chara Ashworth Armstrong, Tiffin Ashworth Barile, Kierstin Ashworth Jarvis, Lindsey McCroskey, Darren McCroskey, Devin McCroskey, Lacey McCroskey Theg, Cory McCroskey, and Ashley McCroskey Ayala. Her great- grandchildren are Kendall, Daniel, Brenna, and Joe Gilman; Alexis Williams, Spencer McCroskey, Alayne and Alex Hoffman; Iziah Crawford; Austin Ayala; Wiley and Beckham Barile; Adeline, Brogan, and Calvin Armstrong; Ryden and Eliana Jarvis. Alberta was known by friends and family for being a fun-loving person who liked to laugh, especially at herself; she liked to tell jokes, to sing and dance, and to help other people. She was a life-long member of Beaumont Avenue Baptist Church where she taught The Truth Seekers Sunday School class for several years and was involved in the Women’s Missionary Union. She was a member of the Eastern Star Areme 466 O.E.S., and the Golden Ladies of Kerbela Temple, and the Telephone Company Pioneers of America. As a young woman, she was active in the West Haven Community Club and Home Demonstration Club. Alberta often helped those in need by doing such things as volunteering to take people to the doctor, tutoring children in the Lonsdale area, and donating to charities that were committed to helping others. She was an adopted mother, grandmother, and best friend to many people. Wherever she went, she saw people she knew, and would stop, talk, and give words of encouragement to those whom she did not know. Her friends and family loved her and will miss her very much. Family will receive friends Saturday from 10am-12 pm at Weavers with chapel service to follow at 12 pm. Rev. Ron Russell officiating. Family and friends will gather at Weavers at 2 pm to proceed to Sherwood Memorial Gardens for a 3 pm interment. Pallbearers will be Kenneth, Devin, Darren and Cory McCroskey; Neal and David Childress; Rickey McNabb; and Ralph Woods. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Beaumont Avenue Baptist Church, P.O. Box 26253 Knoxville, TN. 37921. You may sign Alberta’s guestbook and share your condolences at www.weaverfuneralservices.com Arrangements by Weaver Funeral Home.