Obituary of James-Henry Childs

Elberton - Mr. James Henry Childs, age 82 of Elm Street died Tuesday, June 15, 2004 at St. Mary's Hospital in Athens.Born in Elberton, Georgia, he was the son of the late Ed. B. Childs and Lillie Mae Thornton Childs. He retired as an advisor and salesman with Childs Brothers where he was co-owner for 35 years.He was a member of the Elberton First Baptist Church; the V.F.W. Post #5456; the Elks Lodge #1100 and was a Royal Arch Mason, Lodge #25. Mr. Childs served in the US Army during WWII in Austria, New Guinea, the Philippines and Japan. During this time he was decorated with many honors including the Good Conduct Medal and the Victory Medal. He started the reunion of the 243rd Port Company which is held annually since 1982 and was President Emeritus.He was preceded in death earlier this year by his wife of 62 years, Mrs. Barbara Mary Rennie Childs.Survivors include a sister and brother-in-law, Edna and John Lumpkin of Locust Grove, Virginia; sister-in-law, Imogene Childs of Elberton; a number of adoring nieces and nephews and special friend, Betsy Wigglesworth of Elberton.Graveside funeral services will be held at noon, Saturday at Elmhurst Cemetery with Reverend Steve Fenlon officiating. The family will greet friends one hour prior to service from 10:45 to 11:45 at the funeral home and go in procession to the cemetery.Pallbearers will be Matt Kantala, Steve Seymour, Rick Prince, Mark Bradford, Van Locke and Scott Locke.The body is at Hicks Funeral Home pending the service and the family can be contacted at the residence at 437 Elm Street, Elberton.In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to The Gideons International PO Box 6211, Elberton, GA 30635 or to the Philomathea Masonic Lodge Building Fund, Elberton, Georgia.Hicks Funeral Home is in charge of funeral arrangements.Please sign our Online Guest Book at www.onlineathens.com.Athens Banner-Herald, Friday, June 18, 2004