Edward Childress Sr. (7-5-18) service 7-8-18

Edward Franklin Childress Sr., age 92, of Franklin, Tennessee, formerly of Savannah and Clifton, passed away on Thursday, July 5.

He was born in Greenfield, Tennessee on Jan. 30, 1926, the son of William McEwen and Sadie Lee Scott Childress. He was united in marriage to Marilyn Lasater Childress, who survives, on Dec. 9, 1951.  They enjoyed 66 years of a blissful marriage.

“Mr. Edd” as he was affectionately known, worked for more than 38 years as the business/office manager of Clifton Manufacturing Company.  Upon his retirement, his life of service truly began, devoting time to the Savannah/Hardin County Chamber of Commerce and the Hardin Medical Center Hospital Auxiliary. He spent many hours providing bookkeeping and other services for The Darryl Worley Foundation, Inc. which became a focus of his retirement life. In recognition of his service to the Foundation, a scholarship, given annually to a deserving graduate of Hardin County High School, was created in his honor.

He was a visionary in the computer industry, beginning work with computers in 1960 at a time when his IBM computer system would fill many rooms.  His love of computing continued until he was well past 90 when he had three separate computer systems operating in his home office.

He was a member of First Baptist Church, Savannah, for many years where he served as a deacon and in several other leadership roles.

In addition to his wife, Marilyn, he is survived by his son, Edward Franklin Childress Jr. (Cindy) of Memphis; daughter, Charlotte Burns (Allen) of Franklin, Tennessee; grandchildren, Edward Franklin Childress III (Becca), Jonathan Burns (Amy), his only granddaughter, Beth Ann, and Bailey Childress (Keeley), along with six beautiful great-grandchildren; special nephew, Chuck Hornbuckle, and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by one sister, Frances Hornbuckle.

Memorial contributions may be directed to The Darryl Worley Foundation, Inc. or First Baptist Church, Savannah.

Services were held on Sunday, July 8, at 3:30 p.m., at Shackelford Funeral Directors of Savannah with Eric Jones officiating. Burial followed in  Memory Gardens at Savannah.