Waneda Mae (Smith) Childers

Waneda was born to Sylvester Clinton Smith and Emma Runyon Smith on June 15, 1922 in Lawrence County, Illinois. Waneda was the youngest of five daughters. On June I, 1942, Waneda married Denver W. Childers in Indianapolis, Indiana. While in Indianapolis, Waneda worked at P.R. Mallory making decoders for submarines, to help in the war effort. After the war Denver and Waneda moved to Clay City, Illinois where Denver worked for the Pure Oil Company and Waneda began to demonstrate her considerable skills in homemaking, cooking, and gardening. Four of their five children were born while they lived there. In 1959, the family moved to Bloomfield, where another child was born. Waneda supported her children in all of their activities as they grew. She was a tremendous mother who cared and sacrificed for her children. In addition to these most important responsibilities, Waneda was a dessert chef at the Landing restaurant and manager and cook at Pielemeier’s Drugs in-store restaurant. In addition, she worked as a cashier at the Ben Franklin Variety Store. As grandchildren arrived, Waneda gave up “outside” jobs to care for her grandchildren. She exhibited the same loving care that she had given her children. Christmas was Waneda’s favorite holiday. She always made sure that her family experienced the love and joy of the season. However, the family celebrated every holiday and birthday in grand style. Waneda attended the Bloomfield United Methodist Church. She sang in the choir for many years. She truly loved the church and the friends she has there. Waneda will be sadly, sadly missed by all. Surviving relatives include: three daughters, Melinda Childers (Joel Griffith) of Bloomington, Rhonda Burch (Charles) of Bloomfield and Kimberly Childers of Columbus; one son, Mark Childers of Bloomfield; grandchildren, Aaron Burch, Clinton Burch, Alexander Griffith, Winston Griffith, and Charles Denver Shepherd; one great, grandson, Theodore Alexander Griffith. She was preceded in death by her husband, Denver W. “Poss” Childers on July 26, 1996, one son, Denny Clinton Childers, four sisters and her parents. Funeral services will be conducted 2:00 p.m. Monday, September 20, 2010 at the Bloomfield United Methodist Church, with Kevin Raidy officiating. Interment will be in Gosport cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Jenkins & Sons Funeral Home in Bloomfield and 1 hour prior to services Monday at the church. The family asks that all memorial contributions be made to the Bloomfield United Methodist Church. Online condolences to the family are available at www.jenkinsfuneralhomes.com.

Waneda Mae (Smith) Childers

June 15, 1922 - September 16, 2010