Ms. Mary J. Childers, born on September 10, 1933, in Alabama, spent a lifetime shaping the world around her. She worked tirelessly, nurtured endlessly, and never shied away from a challenge. Whether she was stitching fabric into cherished dresses, tending to her garden, or comforting a loved one with a gentle touch, her hands told the story of a life well lived. She passed away peacefully on March 14, 2025 in Owensboro, Kentucky, leaving behind a legacy woven into the very fabric of her family.
Mary was a kind, independent, and family-focused Christian woman who lived her life with a deep love for God and those around her. She embraced life with childlike wonder, never hesitating to dig deep—whether into the soil, a sewing project, or the hearts of those she loved. Her hands taught, guided, and gave freely, never hesitating to reach out in love or service.
Her hands were never idle. They sewed intricate dresses without the need for patterns, creating garments filled with love and skill. They shaped mud pies with her grandchildren, snapped beans at the kitchen table, and worked through the careful stitches of doll clothes made from scraps. They rolled hair, prepared meals, and flipped through pages of books she loved to share. They gave endlessly—to her family, her friends, and anyone in need.
Though her hands have now come to rest, the imprint they left behind is immeasurable. The warmth of her touch, the skill of her craft, and the strength she carried will be deeply missed. The world feels emptier without them, yet the lessons she taught through her crafts, her love, and her unwavering devotion will live on in those who were blessed by them.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, William Monroe McClain and Lillie Mason McClain; her husband of 47 years, George D. Childers, Jr.; her son, Rod Worthington; brothers, Luther McClain and William McClain; sisters, Ruth Royal, Cil Whitehead, and Edwina Guthie; and other cherished family members.
She leaves behind her daughters, Deborah Worthington and Pam Porter (Paul), both of Owensboro; six grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; sisters, Betty Fox Sapp and Linda Potter (Larry); and several nieces and nephews, who will carry forward the legacy of her hands—hands that built, nurtured, and loved so well.
A service to honor her life and her work will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, March 17, 2025 at James H. Davis Funeral Home and Crematory. Entombment will follow in Owensboro Memorial Gardens. Visitation is from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home.
The family asks that you honor Mary’s memory by using your own hands as she did—creating, giving, and loving without hesitation. May she rest in peace, her hands now held in God’s own.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to Hospice of Western Kentucky, 3419 Wathens Crossing, Owensboro, KY 42301.
The family would like to give a special thanks to the nurses with Hospice and Palliative Care.