Childress, Jr., Claude Swanson

Claude Swanson Childress Jr. of Roanoke, Virginia, was born on May 27, 1946, and lost his courageous battle with pulmonary fibrosis on Friday, December 16, 2022.

He had battled a massive stroke in 2012 that left his right side paralyzed but after weeks in rehab he learned to walk again and regained a lot of what he had lost from the stroke.

He had fond memories of growing up on a farm in Pulaski, VA with his sister, Connie and their maternal grandmother, Cora Long and husband, Ebb. He served his country by enlisting in the United States Navy and served on a Destroyer. He retired from General Electric Company after 39 years and enjoyed playing golf with many of his GE friends. He had several restored cars and always enjoyed going to car shows. Through the years, he loved trips to the Greenbrier and Myrtle Beach, and fishing at the “Farm.”

He was predeceased by his mother, Eloise Childress; his dad, Claude Childress Sr.; and stepmom, Vivian Childress; and sisters, Betty Blanton and Mary Jordan.

He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Ann H. Childress; sons, Steven Childress, ,Douglas Childress (Susan) and their son, Robert; his sisters, Connie Schyler (Emmett) and Diann Mitchell; his brothers, Butch Rierson (Ola) and Ray Childress; and many nieces and nephews.

The Funeral Service will be conducted at 10 a.m. on Thursday, December 22, 2022, at Oakey’s North Chapel with the Rev. Daniel Palmer officiating. Burial will follow at Green Hill Cemetery in Buena Vista, VA. The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 p.m. on Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Roanoke Valley SPCA in his memory. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.Oakeys.com.

Arrangements by Oakey’s Funeral Service – North Chapel, Roanoke, VA (540) 362-1237.