Sandra A Childs

SANDRA ANN CHILDS

Missionary Sandra Childs was born to Hezekiah Childs Sr. and Mattie Lee Childs at Dade County hospital in 1947. Missionary Childs is the first born of eight children that resulted from this union.

She was raised in the Church, and at the early age of 12, she decided to give her life to God allowing Him to lead her into her path of missionary work. This work began by first educating herself and following the path to the State of Texas.

In 1979, Missionary Childs made one of her biggest moves to North Texas with just $2,000 in her hand. In Dallas, she began to flourish and meet her potential. She found a church home at Victory Temple COGIC under the leadership of Pastor Lafayette Whitley and became part of the foundation of the church’s early stages. She served on many committees including: the Gift Committee, Pastor’s Aide & Hospitality, the Victory Voice Choir, as a member and director, and served as our Church Announcer for many years. One of her biggest accomplishments included the introduction of a Women’s luncheon for the church in which she organized and maintained for 10 years through partnerships with various companies and conference venues.

Missionary Childs prided herself on education, obtaining several degrees including a Master’s in Education from East Texas State University (now known as Texas A&M Commerce) in 1993. She also obtained several State Board of Education Certifications from 1983 through 2008 which includes: Provisional Elementary, Gifted and Talented; Professional Special Education Counselor for Pre-K through 8th Grade; General Counselor for Pre-K through 12th Grade; and was certified for Principal for Pre-K through 12 Grade.

She focused on her gift of teaching and turned that gift into her life’s work. She spent most of her educational career in the Dallas Independent School District and Desoto Independent School District. She also enjoyed teaching in Sunday School and YPWW, and as a missionary, she spoke the Word of God on many occasions. One of her favorite scriptures and teachings included Ephesians 6:11, “Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Her work throughout her professional career granted her the ability to recognize talents within her own family enabling them to hone their potential.

Mother taught her own children that once their needs were met, it was time to give to those who truly needed it. Not only did she teach us this lesson, she also showed us what that meant. She obtained funds every year to buy school clothes, hygiene items and food for youth who could not afford basic needs. She would purchase food to feed the kids breakfast plus after school dinners and dress them every morning so that they will have productive learning days. She would push schools to purchase washer and dryers to clean clothes for kids helping build their self-esteem and to intervene in Child Protective Services cases to remove youth from abusive homes. She would at times intervene in those cases herself. She fought not only for her own household but also for every child that needed her help.

Our Mother was preceded in death by her daughter Tracey A. Jones, her brother Hezekiah Childs Jr., her mother and father, Hezekiah Sr. and Mattie Childs.

She leaves her spirit and legacy with her daughter: Carmen Williams; son: David Williams (Marie Williams), her stepsons: Kevin Williams (Sharonne Williams) and Paul Elliott Williams, her grandchildren: Tavon Jones, Carlen Williams, Tayun Jones, Terez Jones; step-grandchildren: Kalasia Williams, Symone Miller, Chris Williams, and Zora Williams; 6 siblings and the Victory Temple family