January 9, 1935 – April 10, 2026
On Friday, April 10, 2026, Mary E. Moss Childress, age 91, of Tullahoma, Tennessee, peacefully transitioned from this life at NHC Tullahoma.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at 12:00 PM at Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church located at 301 S. Washington Street in Tullahoma, Tennessee. Burial will follow at Watson Memorial Park in Winchester, Tennessee. Friends may visit at the church on Wednesday from 10:00 AM until the time of service.
Mary was born on January 9, 1935, to the late Phillip Moss and Nancy Wilkerson Moss. She proudly attended the historic Asia School (Franklin Co., TN), which helped shape her strength, resilience, and values. In 1953, she married George Childress, and they had two children: Jeffery & Joyce.
A dedicated and hardworking woman, her employment included Genesco, TN Apparel, Ascend Credit Union, and Walmart. In 1970, she became a homeowner, serving as a trailblazer for her family and as a testament that with faith, determination, and God’s blessings, anything is possible.
She accepted Christ as her personal Savior and united with Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, where she was baptized by Rev. James A. Crutchfield, Jr. She faithfully served on the Usher Board and remained committed to her Christian walk.
For many years, she was also a dedicated member of the Walter Denny Lodge, where she served her community in various ways.
Mary was the beloved matriarch of her family, a woman of quiet strength, grace, and unwavering love. Cooking was her love language, and she shared it generously through cherished family dinners, weekend gatherings, and her annual Christmas morning breakfasts. Her gold-winning biscuit recipe, recognized by 4-H in Tennessee, remains a treasured part of her legacy.
She was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. Her gentle spirit, kind heart, and pleasant demeanor left a lasting impression on all who knew her. She was known for leaving others with a smile and a simple, heartfelt reminder to “have a nice day.” Her life was a beautiful reflection of grace, and her influence will continue to live on in the many lives she touched.
She was preceded in death by her son, Jeffery W. Childress; son-in-law, SFC Thomas Blake; siblings, Clarence Moss, Jessie Allgood, Elaine Hayworth, Sandra Burnette, and Phillip Moss, Jr.; and brothers-in-law, Rev. Fred Blackwell, Jr., Gary Robinson, and Joe Allgood.
She leaves to cherish her memory: her devoted daughter, Joyce Blake; granddaughters, Dr. Monica Blake (Michael) Beasley, Carla Childress, Felecia Childress, and Latoy Berry; grandsons, George Childress and Dameon Berry; 13 great-grandchildren; loving sisters, Kay Blackwell and Linda Robinson; sisters-in-law, Leona Moss and Waldean (Samuel) Wilkerson; brother-in-law, William Hayworth; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and dear friends.
Though she is no longer with us in body, her spirit will forever live on through the love she gave and the legacy she leaves behind.
Online condolences may be made at www.davesculbertsonfuneral home.com
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