Frances Childers

1924 - 2024

Greenville, SC - Frances (Frankie) Littlejohn Childers, centenarian, was joyfully called to heaven on June 15, 2024. Her life was guided by her love for the Lord and her love for others. "This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it" was the Scripture she said every morning as she put her feet on the floor.

Born on January 22, 1924 in Spartanburg, SC, "Frankie" was the daughter of the late Thomas Willard Littlejohn and Hazel Traxler Littlejohn. She was married to the late John Oliver Childers for 49 years.

She is preceded in death by her siblings Buddy Littlejohn, Wallace Littlejohn, and Carolyn Mulligan. She is survived by her sister, Hazel Littlejohn Willis of Winston Salem, NC; her children, Kay Childers Field of Atlantic Beach, Dianne Childers of Alexandria, VA, Johnny Childers (Linda) of Gaffney and Fran Mauney (Roger) of Greenville; eight grandchildren, Dusty Field, Dede Booker (Michael), Amanda Sovik-Johnston (Robert), Katie Schultz (Aaron), Ashley Kay Childers Morton (James), Hayden Wilson (Ryan), Jake Mauney (Brancey), and Nick Mauney (Mary); Laura Childers (mother, of Ashley and Hayden); and fifteen great-grandchildren.

Frankie brightened the lives of all those she met. Her positive outlook and sense of purpose to encourage and love others motivated her life. She earned an undergraduate degree from Limestone College and taught at Central Elementary School for 25 years. She was an active member of First Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School for 35 years. She was a founding member of a women's ministry, the Tuesday Ladies Celebration of Gaffney.

She received an honorary doctorate degree from Limestone University for her service to the community and was on the Board of Directors at Limestone. She and her husband were longtime supporters of athletics at Limestone and Gaffney High School.

At the age of 94, with the help of her daughter, she started a Facebook and Instagram ministry called Frankie's Encouraging Words. This was a time she gave encouragement to help family and friends navigate life using Scripture. Her weekly videos were viewed by hundreds of people across the country who often commented about the impact she had on their lives.

In January, all of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren gathered to celebrate her 100th birthday, and WYFF helped celebrate the milestone.

The dedicated staff of The Gardens at Eastside in Greenville were her dear friends. She enjoyed social activities and outings, church services and devotions, frequent visits with caregivers and friends, musical performances and talent shows, getting her hair styled, and all the yummy snacks. Her family is grateful for the excellent care she received there.

The family will receive friends from 12:30PM-2:00PM on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 in the sanctuary at First Baptist Church Gaffney, 200 N. Limestone Street. Funeral services will follow at 2:00PM at the church with Dr. Benny Littlejohn (nephew) and Reverend Kevin Hampton officiating. A YouTube live-stream will also be available https://fbcgaffney.org/. Interment will be in Oakland Cemetery.

Memorials can be made to Limestone University, 1115 College Drive, Gaffney, SC 29340 (limestone.edu/donatenow) or First Baptist Church Gaffney, 200 N. Limestone Street, Gaffney, SC 29340 (fbcgaffney.org/giving).

The family will be at the home of Johnny and Linda Childers, 209 Lipscomb Street.

An online guest register is available at www.blakelyfuneralhome.com.

Blakely Funeral Home & Crematory, Gaffney, SC