FAYETTEVILLE — Henry Childress Jr.

was born June 8, 1927, in Fort Smith, Ark., to Henry Columbus Childress and Mary Cravens Childress. He left this life after 93 years to be with the Lord.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father; his wife of 59 years, Christine Marie Childress; sister Willie Louise Deffebaugh; and brother Charles Henry Childress.

Henry is survived by children Rita Childress of Fayetteville, Tony Childress (Pamela) of Shalimar, Fla., and Henry Lee Childress, of Fayetteville; brothers George Hudgens (Rose) of Silver Springs, Md., and Donald Childress of Chicago, Ill.; sisters, Willie Jewel Stone (Willie) of Decatur, Ill., Glenda Childress, Dorothy Smith and JoAnn Williams, all of Chicago, Ill., and Thelma Jean Smith of South Carolina; grandchildren Cheryl Longan (Rob), Kyle Childress (Brittani), Evan Childress, Jordan Thill (Jared), Quinn Childress, Natasha Emigh (Michael), Jacob Hiltibran and Jeremy Hiltibran (Natosha); 13 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was a World War II veteran, honorably discharged when the war ended. He was member of St. James United Methodist Church. He was a strong voice in the choir, served on the board of trustees, and as chair of the Administrative Council. He was a faithful member of the adult Sunday school class. He became a member of the Masonic Lodge 347 in 1969, achieving his worshipful master certification in 1975.

He took pride in being a member of the Human Relations Board in the early 1960s. The board’s function was to assist with the integration of the many segregated facilities in Fayetteville. The city pool, movie theatres and the public elementary schools are a few examples. His committee was tasked with the integration of Fayetteville’s elementary schools. Many don’t know that even though the high schools integrated in 1954, the elementary schools didn’t until 1965.

Henry, along with Lodeane Deffebaugh, and Phil Bashor, were instrumental in getting Peabody Elementary on the U of A campus, to serve as the pilot school for elementary school integration. The following year, Fayetteville public elementary schools were integrated.

Henry worked in many different areas since his arrival to Fayetteville in 1944. Most notably he worked for Chemmel’s Chicken Hatchery, and spent 23 years at Elkhart Production Company. During this time he also worked as a custodian at Underwood’s Jewelers and Fay Jones Architects for 40 years.

He always greeted people with a smile and a handshake, and was willing to lend a hand to those in need. He will be truly missed.

Visitation will be 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020, at Beard’s Funeral Chapel. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, at Beard’s Funeral Chapel. Interment will follow at 11:30 a.m. at Fayetteville National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be mailed to St. James United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 335, Fayetteville, Ark., 72702.

Due to covid-19 pandemic, only 50 are allowed to attend the funeral service. Only 10 are allowed at the burial. Masks are mandatory. A virtual meeting via Zoom will be recorded for those not in attendance. Condolences at www.beardsfuneralchapel.com.