Edith Van (Johnson) Childress

Edith Van Johnson Childress, an exceptional servant of God, was born on September 9, 1939. Though her earthly presence blessed the lives of many, it was time for her to claim her eternal victory on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. She was affectionately called Van, Edith, General Childress, Dr., Mom, and Auntie by family and friends. To have known her by any of these names was to love her. Van was the second born of four children to Laura Yelder and John Johnson in McVeigh, KY. Van was preceded in death by her parents, Laura and John Johnson, four sisters, Lillie, Mary, Martha, and Lucinda, six brothers, John, Prentice, Claude, Eugene, Charles, and Joe, her beloved husband, Rev. G.C. Childress, and her son, James Curtis Childress I.

Van’s Christian education began in her formative years. She accepted Christ early in life when she attended Sharon Baptist Church in McVeigh, KY. Wherever Christ led her, Van was always faithfully engaged in Christian activities by attending Sunday School, singing in choirs, hosting worshippers to pews, collecting offerings, and using her gifts to advance the work of God’s Kingdom. She supported her husband (her high school sweetheart), Rev. G.C. Childress, Sr., as pastor of First Mt. Zion Baptist Church in East Williamson, WV, the Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Pikeville, KY, and Peace and Goodwill Baptist in Chattaroy, WV. She was a gracious, devoted “First Lady,” chair of the Mission Committee, head of the usher committee, and a member of the finance and kitchen committees. Her affiliations and participation fostered lasting relationships in and around the faith community and positively impacted everyone she met. She was a member of the Queen of Esther #52 Order of Eastern Star until she relocated to Lexington, KY for medical care after a life-threatening fall on October 4, 2019. 

 Van actively raised three sons—John, George, and Curtis—and a devoted grandson, Curtis, who, with his wife, Shelly, and daughter, Macie, provided superb care and love for Van. Destiney and Curtis, with God’s guidance, assured that she received the best medical treatment, which restored Van to renewed health and quality of life.

Van graduated from Liberty High School in Williamson, where she was a cheerleader and a member of the chorus. She enjoyed a distinguished career as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) at the Appalachian Regional Hospital. She was president of the union and successfully won many cases for employees. Upon retirement, she continued to work at ARH in the gift shop.

Van leaves to mourn: sons- John Johnson (Donna) and George Childress (Denisa); grandsons- Curtis Childress (Shelly) and Jonathan Childress (BJ); daughter-in-law Mary Childress; sister-in-law Sandra Johnson; granddaughters – Samantha, Alexandria, and Destiney; grandsons – Michael and Daniel Bradley(Angela); twelve great-grandchildren – Macie, Jaliyah, Kaisyn, Jonathan Jr., Ayden, Daviyon, PayPay, Thomas, Kaliana, Antonio, CamCam, Waylon and Lily; one sister, Lucy Hayes; five nieces - Cynthia, Patricia, Barbara, Brenda, and Deborah Johnson; nine nephews - Claude Jr (Theresa), Donald (Chris), Carl Eugene Jr., Joseph, Caul, Johnny, James, Brandt Johnson(Naomi), Doug Hayes and a host of cousins, extended family and friends.

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also. Jesus said unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” -John 14:1-3, 6

Homegoing services will be held Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 12:00 pm at the Logan Street First Baptist Church in Williamson, WV.  Burial will follow in the Mt. View Memory Gardens at Huddy, KY.

Visitation will begin at 11:00 am Thursday at the church. 

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