Jan. 9, 1937-July 19, 2017
Funeral services for Wilber Joe Childress were at 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 21 at Marthaville Baptist Church with the Rev. Charlotte Birdwell and the Rev. Glenn Howard officiating. Burial followed at Marthaville Cemetery under the direction of Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home. Wilber Joe Childress was born Jan. 9, 1937, in Beaumont, Texas, to Walter Jackson Childress and Sylvia King Childress. He passed peacefully with his family by his side July 19, 2017, in Natchitoches. After graduating from Belmont High School, Joe proudly served in the United States Navy from 1955-59 and was stationed on the USS Iowa. He was a very hard worker and a good provider for his family. For many years he was a welder but ultimately retired in 2001 from being the owner/operator of the convenience store in Marthaville. He was a huge NASCAR fan and never missed a race. He was blessed with a green thumb and could grow anything. He will be dearly missed by family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Stephens Childress; siblings, Melinda Knippers and Sherry Williams; children, Rhonda Childress Vienne and husband Chris, Deborah Childress Cochran and husband Greg, and Clay Childress and wife Misty Walker; grandchildren, Morgan Vienne, Tyler Vienne, Tatum Cochran, Joseph Cochran, Ian Childress, Brady Childress and Graham Childress. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Malola Hardy. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Children’s Heart Association, or the Ronald McDonald House.
