Obituary of Edna Marie Childress
May 18, 1952 to January 17, 2026
Edna Marie, age 73, passed away on Saturday January 17, 2026 at Arcadia care surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Holly Springs Mississippi on May 18, 1952. Edna was one of eight children born to the late Mattie B. Finley Walker Hoyle and Rev. Enoch Walker. As a toddler, she knew the Lord as her friend and had a deep relationship with him. Because she was so young, she thought that she had to wait until sunrise to go to the field to talk to him and that’s where she would tell on her mom, dad, and siblings. She knew that the Lord was going to take care of them for her. She soon accepted Christ on the Morning Bank and never lost her faith.
She had a brief marriage with Dimpsell Bowens, they had their first son, Douglas Bowens. There weren’t many opportunities in the south so after the divorce she traveled to Aurora, Illinois with her bundle of joy, Douglas. She sought out opportunities to help her prosper. She later received her high school equivalency certificate and went on to complete two years of accounting and administration courses.
Edna went on to marry Willie B. Childress and they had four children: Christ, Bria, DeWayne, and Marushukka. She later divorced and lived with faith that the Lord would give her the strength to continue to care for her five children and he did.
She always had an open door for anyone. She loved people, she loved her family. She was a jack of all trades. She could install a window, sew clothing, cook savory meals, redecorate the home and curl your hair. But her greatest gift was that she was a family counselor to all who needed an ear to speak to.
She loved to give back to people that didn’t have. She served at her church home, The Greater Mount Olive Church of God in Christ in Aurora, IL. which she attended up until her dementia. She was the person that you could count on in a crisis. She would give her last dollar to help someone in need.
Edna leaves behind three sons Douglas Bowens, Christ Childress (Beatrice) and Willie DeWayne Childress; two daughters Bria Jones and Marushukka Childress; fourteen grandchildren; Serina Edmonds, Anthony Keyke Lucas, Douglas Watson, Dana Watson, Martika Childress Green, Melena Yvonne Childress, Julius John Childress, Lusinda Marie Childress, Maraylia Jones, Maliyah Jones, Nathaniel Jones, Lordea Childress, Amayiah Childress and Destyne Marie Childress and a host of great grandchildren; two brothers Milton Walker and Charles Walker of Mississippi and two sisters Lavern Kimmons (Raymond) of Aurora, IL and Easter Jackson of Holly Springs Mississippi; and a host of beautiful nieces, nephews and cousins.
Edna was preceded in death by her parents, Rev. Enoch Walker and Mattie Finley Walker Hoyle; her grandfather Joseph Finley; her paternal grandmother, Mettie Lee Phillips; her sister Wilean (Lean) Walker; and four brothers, Willie (Doug) Walker, Sylvester (Vest) Walker, Melvin(Wade) Walker, Joseph (Joe) Walker.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the family at P.O. Box 4291 Aurora, IL 60507
As it was her request, cremation rights have been accorded. A celebration of life is being held at a later date.
For more information, please call (815) 942-5040 or visit his Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com, where you can share a favorite memory or leave a condolence.
