Abbie A. Childers

At 5:27p.m., Friday, March 11, 2011, Abbie A. Childers stepped into Glory, and saw his saviors face first of all. He was on his way home with his beloved wife of sixty years to their home, following a hospitalization when he closed his eyes and heard the Fathers call. He was born April 21, 1927, to William Jennings and Nora Ethel Pippin Childers in Abingdon, Virginia, the fifth of seven sons. Abbie came to Paris, Illinois in 1949 to farm with his parents, and there he met Miss Retta Mae Horton, who shared his same birth date, and were married July, 11, 1950. Abbie was preceded in death by his parents, and six brothers, James, Howard, Cecil, Raleigh, Ernest, and Lee; as well as his great grandson Alex Puzey. Abbie and Retta have five children; Nora Ellen Attutis (Justin), William Henry Childers, (Marie-Jeanne), Christina Marie Puzey (Lyle), Jona Ruth Bennett, (Shawn), Kathy Jane Showers (Mark). They have ten grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He adored and loved his family. He was a member of Grape Creek Baptist Church where he served as deacon and trustee through the years. He worked his early years as Edgar County Deputy, the Paris Water Department, and a stint at General Motors. He was also a supervisor at H. K. Porter, worked at Bohn Aluminum, and worked in construction. Intermittently through the last 60 years, he farmed with Vermilion County Farmers, and Dairy Farming on his own with his family on route 49. He retired from farming in 1989 after working with Charles Darr. After his retirement, Abbie transported cars for Courtesy Ford. He was never without a job to care and support his family; and he had a work ethic that was exceptional, admirable, and a legacy bestowed to his children. He enjoyed gardening, taking care of his goats, cows, working on his tractors, and keeping his yard mowed. He had a wonderful sense of humor and always had a twinkle in his eyes. He was greatly loved by so many, and will be as equally missed by his wife, children, grand children, great-grandchildren, and friends. His testimony is that wonderful hope of salvation through Jesus Christ for everyone, and anyone who reads this. A Celebration of the Life of Abbie A. Childers will begin at 10:00am on Wednesday, March 16, 2011 at the Grape Creek Baptist Church, located at 13674 Grape Creek Road, with Pastor David Leary officiating. Burial will follow the service at Sunset Memorial Park in Danville. Visitation for family and friends will be from 4-8pm on Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center, A Life Celebration Home located at 3940 N. Vermilion Street in Danville. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Grape Creek Baptist Church. E-mail condolences may be sent to the family at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com