James Page “J.P.” Childress was 93 years on May 22, 2024, when he left his earthly home to be with his Lord and Savior and his beloved wife of sixty-eight years.
J. P. was born in Old Well, Phenix, VA on May 31, 1930, to his parents Forest and Bertha Woodall Childress. When his father became ill while J. P. was in the fifth grade, he left school to help support the family while his two brothers were serving in World War II. He followed suit by joining the US Navy and serving as an aircraft mechanic during the Korean War. While in the Navy he married the love of his life, Laura Ferguson Childress and eventually settled in Keysville, VA, where they raised their three children and served Mt. Pleasant Methodist Church during their years together.
J. P. learned the value of hard work at an early age and was successful in his roles as a carpenter, heavy equipment operator, restaurant owner, and a diesel mechanic. In his spare time, he enjoyed the outdoors, hunting and fishing.
J. P. is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, William Childress and Clinton Childress; sister, Winifred Howard; wife, Laura Childress; and daughter, Maxine Childress.
Surviving family members are his son, James “Jimmy” Page Childress, Jr. and his wife, Johnna of Blackstone, VA; daughter, Lisa Childress Emerson and her husband, Warren of Keysville, VA; eight grandchildren, Megan Glover, Krystal Ashworth, Molly Childress, Nicholas Childress, Austin Scruggs, Austin Emerson, Kayla Emerson, and Olivia Emerson; eight great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m., Sunday, May 26, 2024, at Mt. Pleasant Methodist Church, Meherrin, VA, with interment to follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. A public viewing will be Saturday, May 25, 2024, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Browning-Duffer Funeral Home, Keysville, VA. Those who wish to honor J. P.’s life may do so by making a donation to St. Jude’s Research Hospital at their website: stjude.org; or by calling: 1-800-213-6584; or send a check to: Memorial Giving, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. The Browning-Duffer Funeral Home in Keysville, VA is in charge of arrangements.
Condolence Messages
Leave Your Condolence
Please share your message of condolence with the family, It will be visible to the public but your email address will not be published.
MARK ANTHONY FEARS
PRAYERS
Isaac Docsol
On behalf of our family, please accept our deepest sympathies. We are wishing you peace and comfort during this unimaginable time.
Your father will be greatly missed.
Numbers 6:24-26 – “The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD makes his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turns his face toward you and gives you peace”
Doris Snead
I’m so sorry. He was a very special man.
David Watts
I knew J P best 60 years ago when I worked for him at the Keysville Tastee Freeze , it’s was my first public job I call it and buddy was I proud of it , lot of memories I recall , I occasionally share with friends and family till this day, my wife now rolls her eyes when I get started , especially when yell the price of a foot long hot dog back then , I guess JP kinda helped me get started out in this old world , l fondly remember Jimmy , Maxine and of course Lisa I don’t think had come along at this time , about 1964 I think it was , J P had a brand new 62 impala he was very proud of , you know we recognized people by the cars they drove back then , JP was an honest , hard working family man , an achiever and a great friend to many , I could go on and on about times at the Tastee Freeze with JP and family , but ido want to express my Deepest sympathy and prayer concern for the family, Death is truly a celebration for those who love the Lord , so to Jesus Christ I give all honor and Glory