Margarett Childress

Margarett Easter Postell Thompson Childress was born Sunday, April 8, 1928 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She passed away, at the age of 95, on Sunday, April 9, 2023 at the home of her granddaughter in Lafayette, LA. Margarett was the eldest of six children, born to the union of Thomas Elijah Postell and Emma Lou Riggins Postell. In 1946, “Maty,” as she was known to many, left the south, and moved to Detroit, Michigan. Margarett raised her four children, Wendi, Shirleen, John, and Michael in Detroit and called it home for some seven and a half decades. Professionally, Maty spent her working life as a caregiver, nursing assistant, and finally a Registered Dietician and Food Service Director working for the State of Michigan Department of Corrections, where she retired. In her free time, Maty enjoyed cooking and baking. Family and friends always requested that she make her famous sweet potato pies for any event. And then there was her perfected recipe, good ole southern greens. She was a true “foodie” until the end. For any of us that had ever eaten her cooking, we will forever value those meals she prepared with love. When served a meal Maty would say, “This is good, this is really good.” There was only one food that Maty did not like and that was catfish! She also loved receiving her Sunday BBQ dinners with her granddaughter on the weekends. Wheel of Fortune was her favorite television show where she tried to solve every puzzle and if the contestant won you would think she had won the money too. Maty also enjoyed traveling to Tennessee, Florida, Louisiana and Texas to see her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family and friends. Maty enjoyed talking to everyone she met. At the end of the conversation, you were going to get some advice whether you asked for it or not. Her circle of friends continued to grow even at the age of 94. She enjoyed the company of the many new friends and was delighted to greet people on Zoom. As Maty grew older, she spent her time “sitting on the side of the bed,” making her telephone calls to family & friends back home and attending “school” - her adult day program where she would often take shopping excursions. She kept her mind sharp by working word search puzzles and coloring books. She would give her artwork to those that visited her as a gift. Being nurtured in a Christian home, she had a thirst for Bible knowledge and enjoyed reading Bible passages until the day she went into the hospital. Memories of our loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt and friend will forever remain in the hearts of her: daughters, Wendi Harrington of Lafayette, LA, and Shirleen Thompson of Danli, Honduras; sons, John Thompson and Michael Thompson of both Southfield, MI; grandchildren, Graig (Amy) Harrington of Clear Lake, TX and Marybeth Harrington of Lafayette, LA; great-grandchildren, Camille and Claire Harrington both of Lafayette, LA and Cole and Grant Harrington both of Clear Lake, TX; nieces, who loved her like a mother, Dr. Gwendolyn Graddy of Detroit, MI, Emma (Byron) Lowe of Bingham Farms, MI, Marsha “Dee Dee” Greene of Detroit, MI, Lisa (Damon) Brownlee of Grosse Pointe Farms, MI, Rozan Barting of Detroit, MI, and Crystal Robnett of Pensacola, FL; nephews, William (Marie) Lumpkin of Detroit, MI, Tracy Lumpkin, and Randall Allen and a host of great-nieces, great-nephews, friends and extended family. Margarett was preceded her in death by her parents, Thomas Elijah Postell and Emma Lou Riggins Postell; sisters, Bernice Allen, Naomi Davis, and Rozan Lumpkin; brothers, Thomas Edward Postell, and Frank Postell Sr.; a nephew, Ronald “Jerry” Graddy and a niece, Charisse Knox. The family of Margarett Childress would like to extend a special Thank you to Dr. Michael Cain and the Staff of Lafayette General Medical Center 8th floor West Tower; sitters Gloria Evans, Carolyn Bonnet and Ella Sinegal; Mrs. Mary Hansberry and the staff of Hansberry's Adult Day Health Care Center Lafayette and Grand Coteau locations; The Staff of St. Joseph Hospice; Amelia Manor Nursing Home; John “Brady” LeBlanc, R. DeMale Bowden, Jr. and Owens-Thomas Funeral Home Staff & Management. To send flowers, or a memorial gift, to the family of Margarett Childress please visit our Sympathy Store. Zoom Instructions For Livestream 1. Go to Kempfuneralhome.com. 2. Click on your loved one’s photo or use the search bar and type in your loved one’s name. 3. You are now on their Tribute Page. 4. You should see a tab labeled photo & videos (or it may be labeled media, depending on your device). Select that tab. 5. Just before the service starts, you will see an icon labeled Webcast (or it may be labeled external video, depending on your device). Select the icon. 6. You will begin to launch into the zoom meeting. 7. Wait for host to let you into the meeting.

Margarett Childress

April 8, 1928 - April 9, 2023