In loving memory of Glenna Rhea Carrier Childress, who peacefully passed away Feb. 20, 2024, just four weeks shy of her 90th birthday.
Glenna lived a life filled with love, compassion, and kindness, touching the hearts of all who knew her. Glenna grew up in a tiny apartment on Randolph Street near the river in Radford. She attended Radford High School where she was a cheerleader and excelled as a student. Glenna married the love of her life JS Childress when she was only 18. She and JS ran the Wayside Market in Fairlawn for many years. After the market closed Glenna went into banking where she rapidly grew from the switchboard to an assistant branch manager in Dublin. After Glenna retired from the bank, she became the administrative assistant at Fairlawn Presbyterian Church.
She was an active member of Fairlawn Presbyterian church for over 70 years and spent time volunteering at the Radford-Fairlawn Daily Bread, the Radford Clothing Bank, and Radford Community Hospital. Glenna’s journey is seen as a continuation of her spiritual path. In the Christian tradition, Glenna’s life was a testament to her faith and devotion to God. She lived her life guided by the principles of love, forgiveness, and service to others. Glenna’s unwavering faith sustained her through life’s challenges- especially the loss of her husband JS in 2020 and her beloved granddaughter Ashley just seven months ago. She found comfort in the promise of eternal life with her Creator and the joy in seeing those who have gone on before her.
Glenna will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing her. Though she may no longer be with us in body, her spirit will live on in the memories and hearts of those she touched. Her family echoes the Buddhist Prayer “May the brilliance of Glenna’s life continue into the future; May the garden of her life proliferate endlessly.”
Glenna was preceded in death by her, husband Junior Summers Childress, father and mother Glen Willie Carrier and Lena Hamilton Carrier, and granddaughter Ashley Nichole Childress.
Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Stephen D. Childress (Linda); daughter and son-in-law, Glenda L. Childress (Dale Milton); and numerous other family members and friends. We would be remiss if we didn’t also mention leaving behind her grand dogs Asha and Zelda who loved their mee-maw.
The family will receive friends 11 a.m.- 12 p.m. Monday, Feb. 26, 2024, at the Fairlawn Presbyterian Church in Fairlawn. Funeral services will begin at 12 p.m. with Rev. Allison Unroe officiating. Burial will follow in Highland Memory Gardens in Dublin.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to the Women of the Church at Fairlawn Presbyterian Church in continuation of the community service Glenna held dearly. http://fairlawnpc.org/presbyterian-women/The Childress family is in the care of Mullins Funeral Home & Crematory in Radford.
