Mrs. Juanita Childs

Mrs. Juanita Childs was born on August 23, 1928 in Fairfield, Alabama to the parents of Robert Kimbrough and Rosa (Pritchett) Kimbrough. Due to the death of her mother when she was just two (2) years old, Juanita was raised primarily by her father. They were very close, and she spoke of him often, especially recounting days and times that they’d spent together growing up in her early years. Going by the nick-name “Honey,” she was his princess. When she became a teenager, her father remarried and her stepmother, Edna Mae Kimbrough, and aunt, Mona O’Neal, helped raise her into a young woman. She graduated from Fairfield High School, and soon afterwards followed her Aunt Mona to Detroit, Michigan, where she met Henry Childs. They were married on December 28, 1948. She was a devoted wife, and gave birth to seven (7) children, whom they raised together. Mother was very proud of her family. She spent her lifetime supporting their ambitions and teaching them to be independent. She cherished her children and grandchildren. She worked several years as a teacher’s aide at Greusel Middle School (a Detroit Public School), but mostly she was a homemaker, and a neighborhood “Mother” to many. Mother loved to sew, making clothes, curtains/draperies, and furniture coverings for her family and close friends. Likewise, she was an entrepreneur, using her dressmaking craft to create custom clothing, formal gowns, and bridal dresses. She treasured shopping for fabric, and kept boxes and crates filled to the brim in her sewing room. Mother also loved to garden, and spent many hours caring for numerous houseplants in her sunroom (grafting them to give to friends and family, or to just grow more). Outdoors, there were roses and other outdoor plant life. She was handy around the house, and was always able to make something valuable from something meager. She enjoyed music, dancing, and traveling the country. She visited many states to attend her Kimbrough-Carson Family Reunions, taking her children and grandchildren with her. She also enjoyed taking trips to Arkansas to visit her sister, Alice Spragens. Mother accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age. She was a loyal member of Promised Land Church, where she dedicated her service to the Mother Board. She was an inspiration to the congregation, and members often sought her wisdom in matters of the heart and daily living. She was very candid when it came to speaking her mind; she didn’t hold anything back that she thought would be beneficial to the listener. A faithful servant, the Lord called her home on April 18, 2020. Mother Juanita Childs will be greatly missed among her family, friends, community, and countless individuals that she touched during her lifetime. She is survived by her seven (7) children; Robin Paris, Steven Dorsay, Lisa Gale (Snead) (Virginia), Sherry Ellen (Quinn), Tracy Renee, Stacey Eric, and Teddi Terice (T2). She also leaves behind 23 grandchildren, 46 great grandchildren, 11 great-great grandchildren; along with a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, in-laws, kindred, and acquaintances. Mother Juanita Childs was predeceased by her husband, Henry Childs (2011) and sister, Alice Spragens (2012).

Mrs. Juanita Childs

August 23, 1928 - April 18, 2020