Childress, Jr., Floyd Smith

Floyd Smith “Sonny” Childress, Jr., 90, of Christiansburg, passed away at his home on December 13, 2013. Mr Childress was the son of the late Floyd S. Childress, Sr. and India Robinson Childress. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 61 years, Margaret Brown Childress.

Mr. Childress is survived by his sister Mrs. A. W. Browning (Dorothy) of Orange, Va.; his daughter Julia Childress Emerson (Scott) of Seattle, and his three sons, Thomas M. Childress (Valerie Weiss) of Waynesboro, Charles B. Childress (Claire), and Floyd S. Childress, III (Mary) all of Christiansburg. He is survived by eight grandchildren, Sarah and Ruth Emerson, Michael and Beth Childress, Preston and Maggie Childress, and Joseph and William Childress.

Mr Childress was a U.S. Army Veteran of World War II. He served in the European Theater of operations as a parachute infantry officer in the 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division. Mr. Childress was a member of the VPI Class of 1944. He graduated from VPI in 1948 with a Degree in Agricultural Engineering.

Mr. Childress and his father were in the cattle business and put together what is now the family farm business Childress Family Enterprises, Inc. In Christiansburg., Va. Mr. Childress and his sons, Charles and Floyd, farmed together many years building a farm business producing beef cattle, corn, wheat, hay, and custom farming services.

Mr. Childress served his church, community and industry in a number of ways. He served St. Paul’s United Methodist Church as a member of the administrative board, sunday school teacher and on the building committee for the current church facility. He was a long time director of the Bank of Christiansburg. Mr. Childress served as president of the Virginia Cattlemen’s Association in 1982. Dad was an avid bridge player and reader. He enjoyed travel with his wife and having his family gathered around him at the farm.

A memorial service and celebration of life will be held at noon Wednesday, December 18, 2013 , at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends in the Willing Workers Classroom of the church before the memorial service from 11 a.m. until noon.

The family would like to thank dad’s caregivers, Ronald and Louise Jones, Joyce Duncan, and Lisa Gardner. We also wish to express our gratitude to Dr. Michael Payne for his friendship, devotion, and medical care for our father over many years.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to the Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library, 125 Sheltman Street, Christiansburg, Va., 24073.