Kathryn Kathie Ann Mathe Childress

SALEM - Kathryn Childress was born to Carl Sr. and Marie Mathe in Warren, Ohio on October 17, 1947. Kathie was preceded in death by her beloved parents and brother, Carl Jr. She is survived by her sister Doreen; brother-in-law Chuck; sister-in-law Shirley; and many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will take place Thursday, June 21, 11 am at Liberty Christian Church, 4764 Skyline Road S, Salem. Arrangements by Howell-Edwards-Doerksen Funeral Home. Life story and condolences at www.HED-FH.com.

June 21, 2012

Last Letter to Kathie--

My Sister-in-Law, Sister and Friend…

I can’t believe you’ve gone to a better place to get your heart fixed up by the Great Physician. His care is beyond anything I can fathom and at a cost even you wouldn’t argue about. Apparently your going home to Him was quick and peaceful. I can only imagine you danced when you saw Him … you did that and clapped your hands when you were happy.

I think I might be suffering more pain knowing the phone is not going to ring with you saying you saw a great special going on at Red Lobster or Olive Garden or Appleby’s and you were hungry! We did like to eat together. (Doreen’s always dieting.)

You and I were birthdays buddies after Jr. died…he always said, “You people born in October!” when he couldn’t believe some dumb thing we’d done like the time you tried to throw a bottle with a message in the ocean and it kept coming back landing at your feet! He then explained to you how the tide worked. You looked after me for him…helping me tackle “ projects” I couldn’t do alone and we had many good birthday trips after he died, and they were all at the ocean and every lighthouse we could visit …Gleneden; Whalepointe where you were so excited when you finally got to see so many whales spouting and flipping their tails; Long Beach, Washington; and the last one to San Francisco and Monterey/Carmel at Marina Dunes where we searched for the best place to sprinkle his ashes in Monterey and we both lost it when I finally did it. I’m so glad you were with me and that I didn’t put it off any longer.

Because of this love you had for God’s creation and the peace you felt when we were there, I have used it as a theme to honor you in just a few hours at your memorial service where your family and special friends…Petra, Cece, Bernice and your beloved church family will meet to pay their last respects to you, dear one. I miss and love you more than I can say…

Thanks for the wonderful memories,

Shirley