Greta Childress Rees

Greta Bo Childress Rees, age 88, passed away in Dallas, Texas, September 3, 2022, surrounded by family. She was full of life and a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend. Her sense of humor was one of her many qualities, and her pre-planned final words were “But I’m not ready to go!” Greta loved the song “Amazing Grace” and was probably singing to herself: "Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come, ‘tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home."

Greta was born February 14, 1934, in Natchez, Mississippi. She spent her grade school and junior high years in Winona, Miss., and graduated from Central High School in Jackson, Miss., in 1952. In 1956, she received her college diploma from Belhaven University, followed by a master’s degree from the University of Northern Colorado. She taught elementary school until starting her family.

During her life she lived in Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Tennessee, Texas, South Carolina and Germany, until finally settling in Texas in 1984. Traveling was a passion for her and her husband Terry, and they visited all 50 state capitols, as well as many foreign countries. Greta took great joy in family adventure trips, from the time her children were little up until her death.

Greta believed philanthropy was important for our world’s future. She supported the Junior Enlisted Army Wives and was a docent at the Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Society for many years. She also had a passion for drawing, recipes and collecting many various knickknacks as memories to her life’s adventures. Her motto was “plan for tomorrow but live each day to the fullest.” Those fortunate enough to experience her “real life stories” understand just how much she lived by that.

Greta was preceded in death by her parents Woodrow Cecil Childress and Dora Mary Sandifer, a brother John Cecil Childress, a son William Andrew, and her husband Terry Dalton Rees who died about ten months before her death.

She is survived by her children: John Mark, David (Kristina), Matthew (Melinda), Mary, & Benjamin, eleven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. She loved her family with great passion and was thankful every day for her life with them. She also felt one of her greatest blessings was her close friendship to many, and the love and devotion they shared.

To fulfill Greta’s wishes, a large but private celebration of life with family will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Salvation Army, Wounded Warriors, or Northridge Presbyterian Church in Dallas, TX.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.andersonclaytongonzalez.com for the Rees family.