Molene Childers

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Molene V. Childers, 85, of Sikeston died Friday, Jan. 9, 2004, at Missouri Delta Medical Center.

She was born Feb. 1, 1918, in Unity, Ill., daughter of Thomas and Phoebe Ann Phillips Hagler. She and Orville Glenn Childers were married June 26, 1937, at Charleston, Mo. He died Oct. 24, 1996.

Childers had been a teacher's aide at the Airport School and Southeast Elementary School. She also co-owned and operated Childers' Grocery near Bell City, Mo., 11 years. She was a member of First Baptist Church and its Ruth Sunday School Class, and was church librarian several years.

Survivors include a daughter, Glenna Swilley of Sikeston; two sons, Dean Childers of Coconut Creek, Fla., David Childers of Oran, Mo.; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by three brothers and two sisters.

Friends may call at Ponder Funeral Home from 3 to 7 p.m. today.

The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at First Baptist Church. Dr. Rick Ramsey and the Rev. David Jackson will officiate. Burial will be in Forest Hills Cemetery near Morley, Mo.