FLOYD ELLIS CHILDRESS

Floyd Ellis Childress, age 101, of Haysi, passed away Sunday, December 22, 2019 with his family by his side. Born in Buchanan County, he was a son of the late Jim and Celia Owens Childress. After Celia’s death weeks later in the Spanish Flu epidemic, Ellis was raised by Miles and Rosalie Fletcher as one of their own. He considered both Fletchers and Childresses as his family, and remained close with both throughout his life. Ellis farmed and worked as a coal miner, coal truck driver, and heavy equipment operator. He was a proud member of the UMWA until his death. During WWII, Ellis joined the United States Marines, and proudly served through the duration of the war. He was stationed in Astoria, Oregon. Ellis enjoyed playing bluegrass and old-time music, and performed in a band with his brother, Luther in the 1930s, entertaining at pie suppers and dances in the area. His favorite activities included singing, fishing, fox hunting, and rambling in the woods. Ellis loved a good story and a good joke, and took great delight in making people laugh. He was a member of Sandlick Primitive Baptist Church since 1970.

Ellis was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years and the mother of his children, Edith Arrington Childress, his second wife, Pearl Childress; son Richie Childress; two granddaughters, Regina Fields and Jeannie Hill; his parents, brothers, Lundy, Charlie, Stanford, James Jr., Garland, and Arthur Childress, and Luther, Leonard, Virgil, Hascue, Claude, and H.I. Fletcher; sisters, Hetty, Emma, Ruby, and Chloe Childress, and Pauline Fletcher.

He is survived by his children; Larry (Theta) Childress, Joann Davis, Lynn Childress, and Kenny (Rhonda) Childress; daughter-in-law, Jessie Childress; sister, Lou Fletcher Cantrell; 14 grandchildren, Trevor, Brad, Brian, Melissa, Scott, Chelyen, Kathryn, Nicole, Rhonda, Misty, Matt, Craig, Chuck, and Jesse; 24 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.

Ellis was beloved and will be greatly missed. Funeral services were conducted 7 p.m. Thursday, December 26, 2019 at Haysi Funeral Home with Elders Garnell Gilbert, Jim Duty, and Noah Kim Edwards officiating. Graveside services were held 12, noon in the Arrington Cemetery, Laurel Branch. Pallbearers were grandsons and great-grandsons. The family received friends after 5 p.m. on Thursday prior to the funeral service. Online condolences may be sent to www.haysifuneral.com.

Haysi Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.