Shirley Childers

Shirley Rae Rouse Childers was the only child of Kenneth Leon Rouse and Nancy Erma Benson Rouse. She was born on Sept. 28, 1930, in her grandparents’ home on North Oak Street in Campbell, Missouri. She resided in Campbell for all but the first seven of her 92 years.

She excelled in school and graduated as valedictorian of her class in 1948. While still in high school, she became the youngest person to be granted a permanent first-grade teaching certificate in Missouri. She continued her education by earning 30 hours of college credit. Following graduation, this “town” girl met and fell in love with a farm boy from Tennessee, Wilton Leon (Bill) Childers. Bill had come to Campbell to teach agriculture techniques to young men returning from World War II. The couple was married at the First Baptist Church of Campbell on Sept. 10, 1949. Their only child, Leah, was born in 1954 on their fifth anniversary.

Shirley took the job of being a farm wife seriously. Many hay crews benefited from her kindness as she fed them meals in addition to snacks. She did her part in making the hard work easier. As a result, hauling hay for Bill Childers became known as a good job to have.

Through the years, the community would see this wife and mother as a skilled professional woman as well. She worked for more than 30 years as an MFA Insurance broker and agent and eight years as an executive secretary at Ark-Mo Power Company. Her civic mindedness included volunteering as a Girl Scout leader and PTA president.

In 1956, Bill and Shirley took a step of faith that influenced not only their lives but also the lives of many others. They were two of the founding charter members of Calvary Baptist Church of Campbell. Here, Shirley shared God’s blessings with others in many capacities starting with teaching Sunday school classes for nearly 70 years. She spent countless hours studying the Bible to prepare her lessons. In addition, she was a classroom teacher for high school students at Calvary Baptist Academy.

Not surprisingly, she was often asked to speak at women’s events. Although she would humbly admit that she doubted her abilities, she did love these opportunities. Because of the solid Biblical wisdom she shared, many individuals trusted “Miss Shirley” with their confidence and sought her counsel. Friends and family knew that she always put others first and that she would help them look for the good, even in the worst situations.

Shirley also served as the church’s secretary and flawlessly handled its bookkeeping for many years. In addition, she and Bill regularly and gladly hosted visiting preachers, missionaries and friends at their home.

Of all her responsibilities, family was always a priority. Her favorite roles in life were wife to Bill, mother to Leah, grandma to Matt, and great-grandma (Gigi) to Greyson.

Shirley departed this world for her eternal home in Heaven on June 6, 2023. She had joyfully anticipated seeing not only her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ but also being reunited with loved ones, especially those who most recently preceded her in death: her beloved husband of 64 years who passed in 2013 and her only grandchild, Matthew Childers Roth, who passed in 2020. Few people know the depth of the bond between this grandma and grandson. Beginning with his high school graduation, Grandma Shirley had sent him encouraging cards or letters every week. Matt had kept them all. They texted daily until his passing in 2020.

Survivors are daughter Leah Childers Roth and her husband George of Hudson, Ohio, daughter-in-law Julia Yeakley-Roth and great-grandson Greyson William Roth of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.

Miss Shirley will be greatly missed by everyone who knew and loved her.

Services will be held at Calvary Baptist Church, 417 Midland Rd, Campbell. The visitation will begin at 1 p.m. followed by the memorial service at 2 p.m., on Saturday, June 10, with Reverend Joshua Lovens officiating. Graveside service at Woodlawn Cemetery immediately following.

The family suggests that memorials may be made to Calvary Baptist Church, PO Box 25, Campbell, MO 63933.