Thomas Johnson Childress, Jr.

Thomas Johnson Childress, Jr., 87, of Martinsville, Va., passed away peacefully on January 15, 2014, at his home. He was born on June 1, 1926, in Paces, Va., to the late Thomas Johnson Childress and Ruth Minter Childress. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by two sisters, Sallye Childress Taylor and Mary Ruth Childress.In 1944 he served his country in the United States Navy in the 3rd CB special battalion in the Pacific. Upon returning from the service he enrolled at VA Tech then came home to take over the real estate business his father had begun. His real estate license was active until 2013; some 64 years. He was instrumental in forming the Martinsville Association of Realtors in the 1950's as well as the local Multiple Listing Service. He was a former Vice President for the Virginia Association of Realtors as well as three time president of the local Association of Realtors. For his meritorious service to the Realtor community he was commended by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia in 2000 and received the first National Association of Realtors award of Realtor Emeritus in this region. He was long active in this community serving on the Martinsville Planning Commission and the Henry County Industrial Development Authority. He had also served on the administrative board of the First United Methodist Church and the advisory board of Boy Scout Troop # 63 and remained active in the Martinsville Lions Club and the Travelers Protective Association. Surviving are his wife, Judy Childress; sons, T. Johnson Childress, III of Richmond, Va., Edwin M. Childress of Roseland, Va., and Vincent W. Childress of Summerfield, N.C.; and daughter, Lou Ann Childress Reynolds of Nokesville Va. and step daughter Stephanie J. Crocker of Atlanta, Ga. He is also survived by grandchildren, T. J. Childress IV of Richmond, Ellen Bechtol of Chicago, Ill., Eric Childress of Arlington, Va., Ryan Childress of Charlottesville, Va., and Elizabeth Crocker of Atlanta. The memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church on Sunday, January 19, 2014, at 3:00 p.m.The family will receive friends on Saturday, January 18, from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at McKee Stone Funeral Home.Memorials may be made to First Methodist Church Food Bank, 146 East Main Street, Martinsville, VA 24112.