Donald ‘Ray’ Childress
Donald ‘Ray' Childress passed away Friday March 24, 2023 at Baptist Hospital in Oxford at the age of 79. He was born September 7, 1943 in Empire, AL to the late Marie Childers Childress and Eugene Otis Childress. He was a United States Veteran, serving in the United States Marine Corp. He retired from Yates Construction, Vice President, Division Manager, Memphis, TN office. He truly cherished his time with the Yates family and all the wonderful people of Yates. He was a proud Mason and a member of the First United Methodist Church. He served as a rotating Sunday School teacher for The Friendly Fellowship Class at First United Methodist Church in West Point and before that The Young Couples Class at First United Methodist Church in Hickory, MS.
A Graveside Service will be held at 2 PM Sunday March 26, 2023 at Greenwood Cemetery with Rev. Jeff Shannon officiating. Serving as pallbearers will be Sam Burks, Brad Burks, Jonathan Childress, Christopher Childress, Greg Hollingsworth, Spencer Lipscomb, John Carver Middleton, Jonathan Woodson. Honorary pallbearers are Bill Yates, William Yates, Tommy Henley, Jimmy Littlefield, Leonard Dichiara, Michael East.
He is survived by his wife, Helen Childress of Oxford; son, Donald Eugene ‘ Gene' Childress ( Wendy) of West Point; daughter, Tiffany East (Michael) of Oxford; brother, Paul Childress (Diane); sister-in-law, Rose Marie Childress; 6 grandchildren, Ashton Woodson ( Jonathan), Madison Childress, Anna Kathryn Middleton ( John Carver), Julia Rae East, Ava East, Michael Ann East; 2 great grandchildren, Addison Woodson, Drew Woodson.
He was preceded in death by his parents; infant daughter, Julia Ann Childress; and a brother, Wayne Childress.
Memorials can be made to American Cancer Society or Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
Robinson Funeral Home is serving the family with arrangements. Friends may leave an online condolence at robinsonfh.net. they had lived, as well as in New Orleans, Louisiana, for many years following his retirement from broadcasting.
Robert followed his father in radio and television and rose to executive positions with the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) in Jackson, MS; Richmond, VA; and New Orleans, LA before retiring to own and manage WROB/WKBB radio stations in West Point, MS. He and his father were both past Presidents of the Mississippi Broadcasters Association. Robert honorably served four years in the United States Army as a media specialist in Colorado.
He leaves step-daughters Ali Karshan of New York, NY and Laine Siklos of Los Angeles, CA; his son Robert Kingsbury McRaney of Richmond, VA; six grandchildren: Georgia and Harper Karshan, Anabelle and Henry Siklos, and Matthew and Anna McRaney; and brother and sister-in-law Michael P. and Susan B. McRaney of Midlothian, VA.
Robert was the consummate Southern gentleman, the pinnacle of style, gentleness, warm enthusiasm and blessed with gracious manners. His friendly personality and respect for all he knew created an atmosphere of peace, acceptance and love. He freely offered the most genuine brand of Mississippi hospitality to family, many friends and more often a few strangers along the way. His heart and home were always open to those he knew and loved. During Mardi Gras each year, the McRaney home was regularly the center of the most memorable French Quarter celebrations.
As a devoted Sigma Chi, he earned the prestigious Order of Constantine Award for lifelong loyalty and promotion of the fraternity's highest standards.
He left behind a legacy of accepting life's challenges with the ever-positive attitude that 'it will be alright'. His love of family, friends, America and the good life warmly touched all who knew him. Robert read aloud the "Declaration of Independence" every Fourth of July, sang the National Anthem, respected and saluted Ole Glory reminding everyone of the value of freedom and opportunity - all worth defending.
He and his wife Samantha set the bar high with their unique and grand approach to life, their acceptance of everyone, abundant generosity and genuine friendship.
A memorial Celebration of Life will be held at a future date to be announced.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to honor Robert L. McRaney, Jr., through supporting the Department of Communication Fund (Fund number: 310215). Robert L. McRaney, Jr. Memorial Support at Mississippi State University, c/o MSU Foundation, P.O. Box 6149, Mississippi State, MS 39762 or online at www. msufoundation.com. For additional support or information, please contact Sara Frederic, MSU Foundation, Inc. at 662-315-2006 or via email at sfrederic@foundation.msstate.edu.