Homer Junior "Papa" Childress

Mr. Homer Junior “Papa” Childress, age 87, of Dobson, NC passed away at his home on Tuesday, December 14, 2021. He was born in Surry County on June 14, 1934, to the late John David Childress and the late Lucy Bledsoe “Tiny” Childress. He was a member of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church and retired from Pilot Hosiery as the second shift plant manager. In addition to his parents, he was preceded by his wife, the love of his life, Thelma Mae Marion Childress; all his siblings; a son-in-law Johnny Bledsoe. Under Sheriff Jim Taylor, Homer proudly served as a Deputy Sheriff in Surry County while he began his career at Pilot Hosiery. Known to many was his love of gospel music, evidenced by his ministry with his sister Lola Jenkins and his niece Barbara Jean Reece as The Jenkins Trio. His passion for music could be heard by many from his years as disc jockey at WYZD Radio Station in Dobson. While traveling with The Jenkins Trio he would bring two of his grandsons Jonathan and Rodney Bledsoe up on stage, later to be known as "The Bledsoe Brothers and Papa” and continued singing and traveling with them for many years, known nationally as "The Bledsoes". He is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Kay and Joe Greene; two sons, Bruce Childress, Kenneth Childress; grandchildren, Rodney Bledsoe, Jonathan and Chenoa Bledsoe, Allan and Leona Childress, Cassie and Chris Pike, Kendall Childress; great-grandchildren, Chloe Childress, Isaac Bledsoe, A.C. Pike, Lilly Childress and Addie Childress; two former daughters-in-law Vickie Lynch and Cindy Hitchings; special friend, Larry Joe Chaney. Funeral Service will be held 2:00 PM, Friday, December 17, 2021, at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, with burial to follow in the church cemetery. Rev. Curtis Ponder will officiate the services. His body will lie in state one hour before the service. The family will receive friends at Moody-Davis Funeral Home on Thursday, December 16, 2021, from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM.