Sister Porthia A. Childress was born to the late Mr. Sept and Mrs. Frances Childress on May 19, 1961 in Madison County, Alabama. The Lord called her into His loving arms as she departed this life on Thursday, May 1, 2008 at Crestwood Hospital. No one heard the door that opened and took her beyond our call, for it was as soft as the dropping petals of a rose; but the Lord left her memory to linger with us like the fragrance of the rose, until our own door shall close.
Porthia confessed hope in Christ during her youth and joined Liberty Primitive Baptist Church. She accepted the calling to preach God’s word and placed her membership at Greater Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Athens, Alabama. Her faith in the Lord was her strength and she held out until the end. Porthia was a special person who loved everyone. Her presence, her smile, her voice and her sense of humor will all be missed. She dearly loved her family and would do anything she could for them.
Porthia seized every opportunity to tell the world about Jesus and His saving Power. She was always eager to pray to the Lord; she was lovingly known as the “Prayer Warrior.”
She graduated from New Hope High School and attended J.F. Drake Technical and Calhoun Community Colleges.
She leaves to cherish her memory five sisters: Mrs. Vivian Wilson, Berkley, Alabama, Mrs. Mary (Ronnie) Pitts, Cincinnati, Ohio, Mrs. Joshlyn Steger, Birmingham, Alabama, Mrs. Barbara (Elder Johnny) Jones and Mrs. Spring (James) Moore, both of Huntsville, Alabama; three brothers: Mr. William Childress, Mr. Wallace Cross, both of Berkley, Alabama and Mr. Charley (Sherrie) Cross, Huntsville, Alabama; four aunts: Mrs. Warrine Collier, Mrs. Mary Ellen Brazelton, both of Berkley, Alabama, Mrs. Ariel Cross, Louisville, Kentucky and Mrs. Carrie Wilson; an adopted sister, Ms. Mattie Bone, Huntsville, Alabama and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
Funeral service for Minister Porthia A. Childress will be held May 5, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. from the Liberty Primitive Baptist Church, with Elder Anthony Stewart Officiating. Interment will follow in the Berkley Community Cemetery.