Howard Childers

Howard Childers, 78, of Emerald Drive, Morganton, NC died Wednesday, October 22, 2008 at Grace Hospital following a period of declining health. Born in Mitchell County, NC on March 3, 1930, he was the son of the late Ad Childers and Pearl Forbes Childers. Howard was a U.S. Air Force Korean War veteran and a recipient of the Silver Star medal. He was a retired employee of Crestline Furniture Company. He was an active member of the First Apostolic Church on Drexel Road and was also a former evangelist. He was an avid fisherman and loved to travel.He is survived by his wife, Mary Jones Childers of the home; a son, Mike Childers of Charlotte, NC; daughters, Gail C. Burnette of Charlotte and Janet C. Campbell and husband, Mark, of Morganton; grandchildren, Mellonie, Mindy, Melissa, Tanya, Amanda, Thomas, and Donald; great-grandchildren, Tara, Zachary, Parker, Cassandra, Alexis, R.J., Tommy, Jasmine, Anastasia, Alyssa, Abby, Alexander, and Alexandria; a twin brother, Ray Childers and wife, Imogene, of Bakersville, NC; and a faithful canine companion, Samson.

In addition to his parents, Howard was preceded in death by a brother, J. D. Childers; and sisters, Joyce Baker and Lorene Barnette.The funeral will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, October 25, 2008 at First Apostolic Church with Reverends Alvin Baker and Danny Baker officiating. Burial will follow in Burke Memorial Park with military honors to be performed by Valdese American Legion Post #234. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Friday evening at Sossoman Funeral Home where the body will remain until placed in the church thirty minutes prior to the funeral hour.