Geraldine Garner Childs

Geraldine (Garner) Childs, 95, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., formerly of Florida, passed away Sunday, November 22, 2015 at home. Mrs. Childs was born April 15, 1920, in Pratt, Mo., to the late Martin Otto Garner and Mary Etta (Thurman) Garner. She spent her childhood in Naylor, Mo., where she attended grade school later attending high school in St. Louis. She was in the motel business with her sister, in Sikeston, Mo., until they sold the business in 1974 and Mrs. Childs retired. She moved back to Mo. from Florida in 1996 to care for her sister who was ill and passed away in 1999. She spent several years in Florida, where she played shuffleboard with a league and won several trophies. She was a member of Westwood Baptist Church in Poplar Bluff. Mrs. Childs was previously married to Charlett Highfill, who preceded her in death in 1965. She then married Mark Childs in 1972 in Sikeston, Mo. He preceded her in death in 1999. Survivors include her daughter, Connie Ellen Potts; 5 granddaughters, Deana Sue Newton, Darla Jean Keene, Daona Michelle Parker, all of Poplar Bluff, Donna Luanne Thornburgh of Clarksville, Tn. and Diana Kay DeSpain of Campbell, Mo., 13 great- grandchildren and 11 great- great- grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by 1 brother and 4 sisters. Visitation will begin 10 a.m., Tuesday, November 24, 2015 at Westwood Baptist Church, in Poplar Bluff, followed by the funeral service at 11a.m., with Dr. Steve Proctor officiating. Burial will take place at 3 p.m. in the Cape County Memorial Park in Cape Girardeau, Mo. Fowler-Sullivan Funeral Home of Poplar Bluff in charge of arrangements.