Teddy (Ted) Lamar Childs of Clarkesville, GA. died Tuesday evening, September 3rd, 2024, after dealing with dementia for the last several years. He was 78. He leaves behind Jane – his wife of 58 years, brother and sister-in-law Albert (Sonny) and Bobbie Childs of Anderson, SC; brother-in-law Bob Tallini and his wife Rita of Atlanta, GA; son and daughter-in-law David and Kim Childs of Smyrna, GA, grandchildren Katharine and Benjamin Childs, and his “fur babies” Scooter and Cookie. Both his parents and his sister Mary Ruth predeceased him.
Ted was born in 1946 and grew up in Lavonia, GA. He told stories of picking cotton in the fields behind his house, but those who knew him wonder how much of the “hard work” was apocryphal. He met Jane while attending Young Harris. Her roommate at Anderson College introduced them, and they were married a year later at the tender ages of 20 and 19. Ted finished up his degree in education at the University of Georgia and moved back to Lavonia to teach. His educational and career pursuits took the family from Lavonia to Wake Forest, NC (SE Baptist Seminary), Rocky Mount, NC, Cairo, GA, and finally to Clarkesville, GA, in 1981, where they would remain.
Ted’s career included, among other things, time as the principal at Canon Elementary in Franklin County, a minister of education at the First Baptist Church of Cairo, a teacher at Lee Arrendale Correctional Institute and the Habersham Christian Learning Center, and a counselor at Habersham Central High School and Tallulah Falls.
Ted was an active participant in his son David’s life growing up – as a Little League baseball coach, a Scoutmaster of Troop 5 in Clarkesville, a Band of Blue parent/booster, and as a tennis ‘coach’ for David (although neither of them was that good). He also was an active participant in life generally, following various passions wherever they took him – sailing, poetry, painting, old cars (buying, not fixing), kayaking, casting, guitars, trains, motorcycles (never ridden, only dropped), and spending time with extended family… at the beach, the farm, at soccer games, theater productions, or wherever they could get together.
Ted was also an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Clarkesville, serving on committees, as an elder, as clerk of session, and as a Sunday School teacher for 35 years. He finally gave up teaching Sunday School, saying, “I can’t keep thoughts in my head long enough to make a decent point. The good thing about church is they love you anyway!”
Jane and David appreciate the love and support his family, friends, church, and the broader community including the hospice workers, have shown us. While it’s sad to say goodbye, we know he’s still with us. As one of Ted’s favorite musicians, Willie Nelson, said, “Death is not the ending of anything.” And in furtherance of that sentiment, Ted has donated his body to the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta for education and training.
Services will be held on Saturday, September 14th at the First Presbyterian Church of Clarkesville. Additional details can be found at Hillside Memorial Chapel (www.hillsidememorialchapel.com). In lieu of sending flowers, please consider donating to the church.
Arrangements are in the care and professional direction of Hillside Memorial Chapel & Gardens, Clarkesville. 706-754-6256.
