Julia Viola Dickey Childress (1867-1958)
(Mrs. Lewis Alva Childress)
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 |
 1902 |
 1924 family reunion |
The following March 2, 1950, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 1, columns 3-4:
OBSERVE 65TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Childress have 65 years of wedded happiness over which to reminisce.Saturday marked their anniversary and occasioned the home coming of their children and their families.
Mrs. Childress, nee Julia Dickey, became Lewis' bride on February 25, 1885, in rites performed at Sherburnville, just across the state line, west of Lowell, where 84 years ago Lewis was born. Julia was born a few miles away, in Grant Park, 82 years ago.
Following the occupation of farming throughout their 65 years together, they started with only a team of horses, a plow and a drag and to prove the ability of the Childresses to succeed they, together with their children, produced 75,000 bushels of corn last year.
Mr. and Mrs. Childress speak with pride of the 12 fine children they reared, all of whom are leaders in their community, and their 46 grandchildren and 57 great-grandchildren, who pay them frequent visits and whom they enjoy so much.
Their children include Ina at home; Elta Winbiggler, Dewey, Walter, Lee and Gerald of Lowell; Blanche Sark of Lake Dalecarlia; Archie of Crown Point; Otto of Hessville; William of Oak Park, Illinois; Irita Black of Chicago; Elmer of Hebron. A daughter Maude, Mrs. George Keithley, died in 1932.
An electric blanket and beautiful bouquets were among the gifts which made the event festive. Flowers are a special delight to the Childresses. True planters, they reap pleasure from all that grows and still care for their flower and vegetable garden.
The Tribune joins with the entire community in extending, to the Childresses, congratulations and best wishes for many more happy years together.
The perfect partnership exemplified by their 65 years of married happiness is an outstanding pattern of the Christian way of living. Only through the practice of true charity can people establish a relationship like theirs. Charity is patience and love.
The following March 20, 1958, Lowell Tribune article was found on page 1, column 6:
Services Held Today for Mrs. Lewis Childress, 90
Mrs. Lewis A. Childress, 90, a most devoted mother to thirteen children, passed away peacefully in her sleep Tuesday morning, March 18, 1958.Julia Viola (Dickey) was born November 17, 1867, in the Sherburnville, Ill., community west of Lowell. On February 25, 1885, she was married to Lewis A. Childress and they resided on their farm in West Creek township for 67 years, until his death in 1952, after which she purchased a house on West Commercial Avenue and moved into town.
She was a member of the Sherburnville Christian church.
Celebrating her 90th birthday last November 17, she held open house for her family. Still mentally alert and physically active, she enjoyed having her large family with her. Two of her children are deceased, Blanche Sark and Maude Keithley.
Survivors include 11 children, Otto of Hammond, William of Onekama, Michigan, Elta Windbigler of Crown Point, Lee of Lowell, Ireta Burns of Chicago, Elmer of Hebron, Dewey, Gerald, and Ina of Lowell, Archie of Hebron and Walter of Lowell. Also 48 grandchildren, 117 great-grandchildren and one great great grandchild; beside a host of other relatives and friends.
Memorial services will be conducted at 2 p.m. in the Sheets Funeral Home with Rev. E.L. Worley, pastor of the Shelby Church of Christ, officiating. Burial will be in the Sherburnville church cemetery beside her husband.
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