Shirley Mullinax Childers, formerly of Charlotte, NC, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 28, 2022, in Fort Mill, SC, where she lived with her daughter and son-in-law. Born in 1934 in Gaffney, SC, she was the daughter of the late Ralph Alonzo Mullinax and the late Viola Sellers Mullinax. Shirley was predeceased by her husband Jodean Childers, her son Joe Michael Childers, and her sister Winnie Collins. She is survived by her daughter, Debra Childers Boyd, and her son-in-law, Warren Boyd, of Fort Mill, SC; her daughter-in-law, Donna Blackwell Childers; her grandson, Joseph Childers, and his wife, Jacqueline; her granddaughter, Laura Childers; and great grandson Connor Childers, all of Spartanburg, SC. Shirley is also survived by her niece, Diane Collins Cook (Roger) of Blacksburg, SC; her brother-in-law, Virgil Childers, of Union, SC; and her step brother-in-law, Jimmy Hawkins (Rachel), of Tryon, NC. Devoted to her family and her church, Shirley spent the better part of her life taking care of those she loved, making her husband and children (and then grandchildren) her top priority and making sure that her children and grandchildren had opportunities in life that she did not have. An avid reader, she always had a book with her wherever she was, never losing the chance to read while waiting to pick up her children at school or after-school activities. Her other passion was singing in the church choir, something that she joyfully pursued as her way to praise God and that she profoundly missed when she lost most of her hearing. Those who knew her well will miss her sharp wit and her loving heart.
A visitation for Shirley will be held Saturday, April 9, 2022, from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Durham Memorial Baptist Church, 1601 Toddville Road, Charlotte, NC 28214. Following the visitation, a memorial service will take place at the church from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM. A committal service will also occur Saturday, April 9, 2022, from 3:15 PM to 3:30 PM at Forest Lawn West Cemetery, 4601 Freedom Drive, Charlotte, NC 28208.
The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorials be sent to Durham Memorial Baptist Church, 1601 Toddville Road, Charlotte, NC 28214; Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region, P.O. Box 470408, Charlotte, NC 28247; Justice Ministries, P.O. Box 11154, Charlotte, NC 28220; or Winthrop University Foundation Faculty and Staff Scholarship Fund (#816), Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC 29733.
