Ralph Childress - KINGSPORT
Ralph Childress, 79, of Kingsport, passed away, Tuesday, October 7, 2008, at Appalachian Christian Village in Johnson City, TN.

Mr. Childress was born May 29, 1929, a son of the late Robert T. and Fannie Pearl (Gray) Childress.

He retired from the U.S. Postal Service and was a member of Colonial Heights Baptist Church. Throughout his lifetime he also served as music director for several area Baptist churches.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Phyllis Harr Childress; second wife, Gladys McAnich Childress; sisters, Leta Isley, Mary Childress; and one brother, Bruce Childress.

Survivors include three daughters, Karen McMurray and husband, Stan, of Johnson City, Donna Harlan and husband, Lee, of Johnson City, and Alice FitzPatrick and husband, Bob, of Nashville; his grandchildren, Brian, Travis and Wesley McMurray, Katie Hall, Becky Harlan and Elizabeth FitzPatrick; five great-grandsons; and two brothers, Robert Childress and wife, Louise, of Phoenix, AZ, and Fred Childress and wife, Louise, of Norris, TN.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, October 11, 2008, from 12-2 at East Lawn Funeral Home chapel with funeral services to be held at 2 with Rev. Victor Wallace officiating. Burial will follow in East Lawn Memorial Park.

Pallbearers will be Brian McMurray, Travis McMurray, Wesley McMurray, Noah Hall, Preston McMurray and Landon McMurray. Honorary pallbearers will be the Men's Sunday School Class of Colonial Heights and Harold G. "Sarge" Childress.

Memorial contributions may be made to National Parkinson Foundation, Inc. Office of Development, 1501 NW 9th Ave./Bob Hope Rd., Miami FL 33136-1494; Billy Graham Evangelistic Assoc., 1 Billy Graham Prkwy, Charlotte, NC 28201; and/or Appalachian Christian Village 2012 Sherwood Dr., Johnson City, TN 37601.

East Lawn Funeral Home, your Dignity Memorial provider, is serving the Childress family. You may sign the guest register book by visiting www.mem.com.