Billie Ann Childress

Services for Billie Ann Childress, 81, of Lufkin, will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, September 30, 2017 in the Gipson Funeral Home Chapel, with Reverend Larry Sikes officiating. Interment will follow in the Garden of Memories Memorial Park.

Mrs. Childress was born March 17, 1936 in Ewing, Texas, the daughter of the late Essie Lee (Smith) and William Ivy Kennedy. She passed away Thursday, September 28, 2017, at Pinecrest Retirement Community.

Mrs. Childress was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was retired from Lufkin ISD, where she worked in the Special Education Department. She also worked at Angelina County Lumber Company. She was a 1954 graduate of Lufkin High School and attended Angelina College. She married her high school sweetheart, Kenneth Childress on February 11, 1955 and they were married for 52 years. Mrs. Childress enjoyed cooking, painting, reading, music, and had a great sense of humor.

She enjoyed working with children and taught in the Wee Care Program at Lufkin’s First Baptist Church. She also enjoyed writing skits and performed in many areas, including churches, showers, reunions and parties for over 30 years. She also performed as several characters. She enjoyed good, clean entertainment and seeing people have a good time.

Mrs. Childress was a charter member of the Lufkin Association for Special Needs Children. She was a longtime member of Kelty’s First Baptist Church, teaching for many years in the Children’s Department. She loved the Lord and her church family.

Survivors include her daughter, Marjorie Fine of Lufkin; son and daughter-in-law, Chuck and Kim Childress of Magnolia; grandsons, Jason Vest and wife Sarah and Mark Vest and wife Katie, all of Lufkin; granddaughters, Lauren Childress of Dallas and Madison Childress of Magnolia; great-grandsons, Gunner Vest and Gannon Vest; great-granddaughter, Riley Anne Vest; and special friends, Geraldine Spivey, Berniece Harvill, Billie Thornton and Betty Barrow.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Childress was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Childress; daughter, Mary Kathryn Childress; and sisters, Ruth Fleming and Helen Aldredge.

Mrs. Childress’ family wishes to extend special thanks to the caring nurses, nurse’s aides and staff of Pinecrest for their wonderful care and support.

Friends are invited to visit with the family from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday evening at Gipson Funeral Home.

Condolences may be offered at www.gipsonfuneralhome.com

Services have been placed in the trust of Gipson Funeral Home.