Carol Childress of Mesa AZ went home to be with Jesus, surrounded and comforted by several family members, on October 7, 2024.
She was born Carol Ann Higginson, October 14, 1957, in Grand Junction, Colorado, the youngest daughter of Clay and Mina Higginson.
She married Micheal (Mike) Childress on August 5, 1975. Their first son Jerimiah was born the next year. Five years later their son Joshua was born and then her youngest son Joseph was born the year after that. A devoted mother and homemaker, she worked some part time and short-term jobs, but found her fulfillment in raising her children. Though the family moved several times, she made sure each new place was tidy and felt like home. She enjoyed being involved in her children's school activities and sporting events. Carol was talented with sewing and craft work which helped the family make-do with whatever was available. Even after her sons left home, she lent her support through their various struggles and stages of life.
Her strong faith led her to be active in the churches she attended and participate in multiple charitable endeavors. She spent several years working privately to spay and neuter cats and then several more working with Hoof and Paw rescuing all kinds of animals in and around Nucla and Naturita. As much as she loved animals, her real passion became her grandchildren, and she did her best to dote on them and be there for them. Sometimes that meant meeting on the internet at every opportunity. At other times it meant travelling great distances and even uprooting to make her grandchildren a priority.
At age 21, she was overwhelmed by a confluence of difficult and tragic events in life. Her mom took her to visit Eddy Scroggins, a local Southern Baptist pastor. In his office where he was also chaplin at the Mesa County jail, he led her to begin a relationship with Jesus that guided her throughout the rest of her life. When she came home, she told me that she had never known such peace. When she discovered the following passage of Scripture, it became one of her favorites and helped her through many of life's turmoils. It is a comfort to her family, today.
Philippians 4:4-8 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
She is preceded in death by her father and mother, Clay and Mina Higginson, brother David and wife Patricia, brother Marvin, brother-in-law Merlin, and sister-in-law Sandra. She is survived by her son Jerimah and wife Angela, and grand-daughters Jordan, Joelle, and Jada; son Joshua and wife Tamara and grand-sons Dillon, David, and Ian; son Joseph and wife Tatyana and grandchildren Meric, Clementine, Bradford and Hamiltion; sister Joyce in Oregon, sister Marilyn and husband James in Colorado, brother James in Colorado, and sister-in-law Leta Bartram.
A graveside service is planned for 11:00 AM on October 16, 2024 at Grand Junction Memorial Gardens, 2970 North Avenue, Grand Junction, CO 81504.
There will be an informal get together following the service at the pavillion by the pond in Longs Park, 3117 F Road. Feel free to bring simple snacks and finger food.
Wednesday, October 16, 2024
11:00am - 12:00 pm (Mountain time)
Memorial Gardens
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