JoAnn Roberts Childers

1932 - 2024

JoAnn Roberts Childers passed away at the age of 91 in Kingsport, Tennessee on Tuesday, March 26, 2024.

Born to Frank and Zelma Roberts in Paragould, Arkansas on May 28, 1932 JoAnn was preceded in death by her husband, Bob Eugene Childers, her parents, her brother, Dick Roberts, and sisters Mary Jane Twaddle, Sue Spencer, and Sandra Smith.

She is survived by her children William Frank Childers (Barbara), Robert Clayton Childers (Denise), John Murry Childers (Jeannie), and Julia Ann Sewell (Mark) as well as grandchildren Patrick Sewell (Kari), Allison Scott (Ben), Morgan Fitzpatrick (Darren), Taylor Sewell, Carly Moenich Harrison), Amy Childers, Kelsey Butner (Forrest), Jennifer Childers, and Nick Sewell (McKenzie). In addition, she leaves 11 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

JoAnn was raised in Memphis and attended Central High School and Union Ave. Baptist Church where she met Bob when they were both in the Baptist Young People's Union (BYPU). She attended Union University and married Bob during her junior year on May 1, 1953.

After being married, they moved to El Paso, TX where Bob was stationed at Fort Bliss. While there, they had two sons (Frank and Clayton). They returned to Memphis for several years and later moved to Knoxville, TN where Bob entered the doctoral program at The University of Tennessee. Their third son, John was born while they lived in Knoxville. Next, they moved to Athens, TN where Bob served as principal at McMinn County High School. While in Memphis, they welcomed their daughter, Julie.

Bob was hired as Deputy Secretary of Education for the state of Tennessee, so they moved to Nashville for three years and then to Atlanta in 1966 where they finally settled and raised their family.

JoAnn earned her bachelors and masters degrees from Georgia State University and taught elementary school in Dekalb County, GA. She served as president of the Dekalb County chapter of PAGE (Professional Association of Georgia Educators). She was active at the First Baptist Church of Avondale Estates, GA and with the PTSA at her children's schools. She also helped found the Childers/Childress Genealogical Society.

Following their retirement, JoAnn and Bob moved to Woodruff, SC where they restored a vineyard. She became active in the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and the Children of the American Revolution (CAR) chapters.

Visitation will be held on April 2 at 1 pm followed by the funeral service at 2 pm at Memphis Funeral Home, 5599 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38119. She will be buried next to Bob at Memphis Memory Gardens immediately following the funeral service.