Ben Hawkins Childress

Visitation will be held Wednesday, December 21, from 5- 7 pm at Wright and Ferguson Funeral Home in Ridgeland. Funeral services are scheduled for Thursday, December 22, 2011 at 1:00 pm at Flora United Methodist Church with interment to follow at the Flora Cemetery. Visitation will also be held Thursday in Flora at 11:00 prior to the service at the church.

Mr. Childress was a native and lifetime resident of Flora. He was born on October 11, 1931. He attended Hinds Junior College and the University of Southern Mississippi. He was a proud veteran of the Korean War serving in the Army stationed in the Philippines. Upon honorable discharge from the service in 1954, he began working for Mississippi Power and Light (Entergy) and continued until his retirement in 1991. During his career with Entergy he also raised cattle and row crops, and was able to do this full time in his retirement years. During the 1950's Mr. Childress started a Boy Scout Troop in Flora and served as Scout Master. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying both hunting and fishing, and a lifetime member of the NRA. Ben was a faithful member of the Flora United Methodist Church where he previously served as Sunday School Superintendent, Lay Leader, and Trustee.

Ben was a dedicated family man and always put his family first. He set an example for his family and others by being honorable, trustworthy, and hard working. He treated people with respect regardless of their status in the community and was loved and admired by those that knew him.

Growing things was always part of his nature and his passion. Whether it was livestock, row crops, fruits, vegetables, or children, all of these had to be sowed, cultivated, and nurtured to maturity. He enjoyed gardening especially his fruit trees, blueberry bushes, fig trees, and muscadine vines.

In June Ben celebrated 60 years of marriage with the love of his life, Elaine Porch Childress. He also leaves his devoted children: Leila Malatesta (John), Benny Childress (Tammy), and Leslie Childress (Kathie), all of Flora, and his grandchildren: Valerie Bailey (Kevin), Katie Robinson (Jeremy), Kane Childress, and Joan Childress, and great-grandchild: Nora Kate Robinson. He is survived by six siblings: Jack Childress (Virginia), Joe Childress (Mary Ann), Lee Childress (Mary Nell), Kay Hunt (Bill), Don Lane (Mary Lou), and Nancy Yonkers. He also leaves numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents: John R. Childress and Katherine Hawkins Childress Lane.

Pallbearers will be Kane Childress, Kevin Bailey, Jeremy Robinson, Chuck Lane, Earl Hunt, and George Hammack.

He will be missed by the many people whose lives he touched.

In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be sent to the Flora United Methodist Church - Building Fund, PO Box 289, Flora, MS 39071.