On Monday, June 8th, 2020, Earl Cummins Childers returned to his heavenly home at the age of 92 years. He passed away peacefully within his home in Glendale, Arizona, surrounded by his beloved wife and children. His devotion to his family and his firm belief in God supported him and ultimately gave him peace. Earl was born to Arthur Childers and Georgia (Lowrey) Childers on October 16, 1927, in Louisville, Kentucky. He had 11 siblings.
As a young man, Earl served in the U.S. Navy from 1945 to 1948 on the USS Hershey and the USS Princeton during World War II. After, he went back to Louisville, Kentucky where he married Bessie Belle (Dykes) Childers on June 15th,1950. They have lived together almost inseparable for 70 years. They had three children together, Donna, Terry, and Patti.
Earl graduated with a Master’s Degree in Biology Education at Peabody College at Vanderbilt University and His Bachelors from Trevecca Nazarene University and went on to be a well-loved biology and math teacher for 30 years. In 1982, Earl and his family moved to Phoenix, Arizona. In addition to being a dedicated and loving father, Earl enjoyed building houses and owned his own construction company. He was always a hard worker and never quit working, even on his days off. Throughout his entire life, he held an unwavering faith in God, in which he shared with those who surrounded him. He was a part of the Church of the Nazarene. He taught his family to love God no matter what. He was above all passionate and proud of all of his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.
Earl is preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Georgia Childers, and 10 of his siblings. He is survived by his loving wife, Bessie Childers, his brother, Frederick Childers, and children Donna (Richard) Paulsen, Terry (Rose) Childers, Patti (Mike) Nye; as well as his grandchildren, Michael (Tonya) Childers, Troy (Thuy) Childers, Todd (Erin) Childers, Jessica (Matt) Rudin, Kevin (Naomi) Nye, Terri (James) Clayton, Kathy (Steve) McClanahan, and Joey Zseger. He is also survived by his great and great-great-grandchildren, Brittney Childers, Allyson Childers, Autumn Childers, Tristen Childers, Bailey Childers, Angelina Childers, Abigail Childers, Harleigh Rudin, Luke Rudin, Micah Wilson-Nye, Taylor McCloud, Kylee Clayton, Ethan Puckett, Krystal Zseger, and Aubrey Kesler.
A celebration of Earl’s life will be held on Friday, June 19th, 2020 at Sunland Memorial Park, 15826 North Del Webb Blvd, Sun City, AZ. A gathering of family and friends will be held at 9:00 AM and the services will be at 10:00 AM with graveside burial with military honors at 11:00 AM.
“Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the light. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.” - John 11:25
