Jewell Childress

Mrs. Jewell Bentley Childress
Civic Leader

Jewell Bentley Childress, 77, entered peacefully into eternity on September 8, 2010, at National Health Care Facility. She was preceded in death by her husband of fifty years, Freddie J. Childress, and by her daughter, Christi Bea Childress Coleman.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 11, 2010, at First Baptist Church of Augusta with Dr. Greg DeLoach and Dr. Rodger Murchison officiating. A private ceremony of interment will follow at Westover Memorial Park.

Mrs. Childress, born in Augusta, graduated from, and was President of, the last all-girl high school class of Tubman High School in 1950 which recently joyfully celebrated their 60th reunion. She received her AB from Mercer University where she enjoyed her role as President of Chi Omega Sorority.

She lovingly dedicated her life to her church, her family, and many civic endeavors. She was encouraged by many to take leadership roles in her community. She taught music at Langford Junior High before starting her family. Mrs. Childress served for many years as a Director and Vice-President of Mooney’s Shoes, Inc. She was elected to the Mercer University Board of Trustees; served on the Alumni Executive Committee and as Vice President of the association; Mercer President’s Council; organized the Augusta Area Mercer Alumni Association and served as its President; and was the recipient of the Mercer Alumni Association Meritorious Service Award.

Mrs. Childress helped organize and was the first chairman of the Greater Augusta Arts Council, The Famous Artists Series, the Summerville Neighborhood Association, Citizens for Neighborhood Schools, and Citizens for Clean Air in establishing Richmond County’s landfill. She served as president of Augusta Junior Woman’s Club and was named recipient of the Georgia Federation of Women’s Clubs Outstanding Citizen, Club Woman of the Year, and Family of the Year for the 10th District. She served as a director of the Richmond County Historical Society and on the Advisory Boards of St. John Towers, Georgia Regional Hospital, the Dietetic Intern Program at University Hospital, and for the Richmond County Board of Education. In addition, for years she was a member of the Augusta-Richmond County Board of Zoning Appeals and served as its chairman. She was a member of the National Historical Preservation Society.

One of the causes closest to her heart was her activism in conservative political affairs. She was proud to serve for many years as President of the Women’s Republican Club of Richmond County. She was a member of the Richmond County Republican Executive Committee and was Secretary for the 10th District Republican Party. Mrs. Childress was the Republican candidate for the Georgia Legislature’s 88th District in 1980.

The work which was the most fulfilling and cherished by her were her activities at First Baptist Church, Augusta. She felt strongly that it was an honor to be able to help form and influence the youth of the church and contribute to their character and personal growth. Leadership roles there included youth Sunday School teacher, organizing and conducting children’s choirs, and chaperoning youth group trips and camps. She also served with the Women’s Missionary Union, Search Committee, Finance Committee, Nominating Committee, and was a member of the Lucy Wright Parker Mission Group.

It was obvious to all who knew her that Mrs. Childress’ main priorities were God, family, country, and duty. She lived her life in sacrifice to those causes and those people she loved.

She is survived by her son, Dean Bentley Childress, and daughter-in-law Margaret Rowland Childress; four grandchildren: John Hardin Coleman, Jr., Dorothy Jewell Coleman, Margaret Bentley Childress, and Judson Baldwin Childress. She was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. J. Judson Bentley and the sister of J. Terry Bentley (Jerrie), Bonnie Bentley Perry (Steve), and Beverly Faythe Bentley. Also surviving are cherished nieces and nephews Carolyn Bentley Cannon of Augusta, Kellett Bentley Weldon of Blue Ridge, Georgia, Beverly Perry Wilson of West Lafayette, Indiana, Robert Austin Rhodes of Augusta, and Bentley Zebulon Rhodes of Charlottesville, Virginia. In addition, she is survived by special long-time family friend, Ella Mae Fleming.

Serving as pallbearers are Chris Cannon, John Coleman, Dean Lewis, Austin Rhodes, Bentley Rhodes, Jerry Rogers, Calvin Williams, and Kent Wilson. Honorary pallbearers will be Tom Perrin, Harvie Hogan, and Glynn Watson; the 1950 graduating class of Tubman High School; and members of the Lucy Wright Parker Mission Group, First Baptist.

If so desired memorial contributions may be made to the Chapel Fund, First Baptist Church, 3500 Walton Way, Augusta, Georgia, 30909.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Friday evening, September 10th at Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, Ga., 30907 (706)364-8484.