Obituaries

Veda Elizabeth Childress

Veda Elizabeth Childress (nee Stafford), 87, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 14, 2012, at her home in Sunset Hills, Mo. Born in Tebbetts, Mo., she was the oldest of nine children born to Herod and Nellie (nee Branch) Stafford. Veda married Glenn R. Childress in California, Mo., on February 2, 1952. She spent much of her early life in the Central Mo. area and graduated from Mokane High School in 1943. Veda lived in numerous places including St. Louis; Houston, Texas; Mexico City, Mexico; Baltimore, Md.; and Satellite Beach, Fla. She returned to Mo. in 1980 and lived in her home in Tebbetts until moving to the St. Louis area in 2009. Survivors include daughters, Vicky (Dick) Shimamoto of Sunset Hills, Mo., and Judith (Ron) Greenwald of Estero, Fla; sisters, Lorene (the late Frank) Smith of Tebbetts, Berniece (Kenneth) Grotewiel of Fulton, Maxie (the late Kennard) Autenrieth and Vicki (Larry) Languel, both of Tebbetts, Braxie (the late Lloyd) Huff of Jefferson City, and Ruth (Paul) Boyce of Holts Summitt; brothers, Sonny (Sue) Stafford of Cudahy, Calif., and Stanley (Flora) Stafford of Tebbetts; 6 grandchildren, 11 great- grandchildren and one on the way, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Glenn Childress; infant son, Charles Lee Hart; and daughter, Linda (Jim) Deters. A private graveside service was held at Summit Memorial Park in Holts Summit and a private memorial service for family is being planned for a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made in Veda's name to Mercy Hospice, St Louis, MO 63131 or to a charity of the donor's choice. Condolences can be sent by visiting www.debofuneralhome.com.

Published December 18, 2012