Beverly "Bev" Ann Childers

Beverly “Bev” Ann Childers was a devoted wife and caring mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. Our Lord called her home on September 24, 2024 in Abilene, Texas at age 83.

Bev was born to Eugene and Amanda Hodges on February 6, 1941, in Guion Arkansas, the youngest of seven siblings. After a brief time in Greasy Bottom, Arkansas, her family moved to farm in the central valley of California, where she graduated from Washington Union High School in rural Easton, near Fresno. After a short courtship, she married her sweetheart Garland Wayne Childers on November 12, 1959. Their marriage of nearly 65 years stands as a testimony to the power of faith in God, love, and mutual commitment. Together, Bev and Wayne had three children: Karen, Jeff, and Lisa.

Alongside her husband, Bev was deeply devoted to God and his church, being a stalwart supporter of her churches’ activities and raising her children to be people of deep faith. The home she kept was a haven of hospitality for young and old alike, where friends, family, and strangers would gather to study scripture, share stories, and play games around her kitchen table. In 1999 Bev and Wayne left their home in California and relocated to Abilene, Texas to be closer to their children and grandchildren. She swapped the LA Dodgers for the Texas Rangers, came to love Tex-Mex, and insisted that tornadoes were far worse than earthquakes. She also spent many hours supporting and cheering on her family in their activities. She especially looked forward to holiday gatherings with the family and she loved traveling. Bev and Wayne became members at the Northwest Church of Christ, where she continued investing in ministry to others.

Beverly was preceded in death by their daughter Karen Childers, her parents, Eugene and Amanda Hodges, her siblings Wanda Jones, Alice Orum, Bill Hodges, Gene Wilson, and Kenneth Hodges. She is survived by her beloved husband Wayne, children Jeff (Linda) Childers and Lisa (Shannon) Cruse, seven grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and brother Earl Hodges.

Visitation with the family is scheduled for Sunday, September 29 3:00 – 4:30 pm at Piersall Funeral Home, 733 Butternut, Abilene.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Monday, September 30 at 11:00 am at the Northwest Church of Christ, 1141 N Willis St., Abilene. You are invited to donate to the Alzheimer’s Association on Beverly’s behalf:

Alzheimer's Association, Abilene Regional Office, PO BOX 5322, Abilene, TX 79608