Chester Allen Childress, age 90, was born on November 17, 1935 to the late Woodrow and Elma Probus Childress. He passed away on Saturday, (September 5, 2026) at Baptist Health Hardin in Elizabethtown, KY.

He loved his family fiercely including his wife of 71 ½ years, Martina Louise Ruth Childress; his children and their spouses, Dale and Judy, Jill and Murrell, Doug and Beverly, Linda and Allen; his grandchildren, Tommie (Lisa), Kevin (Sandra), Jamie (Beth), Kelli (Cody), Tina (Kyle), Carter (Kelley), Karla, Charie (Trent), Jake (Kate), Brayden (Addison), Eli (Cadence), Kolbie, Isaac, Konner, Tinley, Ali, Audrey and baby E.J.; his brothers and their spouses, Jerry and Carolyn, Larry and Mable; his sisters-in-law Rose, Barbara, Brenda and Charlotte and his brothers-in-law Tom and David.

Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Freddie Childress; two sisters and their husbands, Anna Rea and Bob & Alice and Alfred; brothers-in-laws Carl, Herman, Edward, Ed, & Harry; sisters-in-law, Arvaleen, Luby, Wanda, Temple; and his father and mother-in-law, Ernest and Edna Ruth.

First and foremost, he was a Christian. He was a man of morals, integrity and the epitome of honesty. His work ethic was second to none and the best family man and provider for his wife and family.

When he left home at a young age, he sought work briefly in Massachusetts and Illinois. He later went to work at Hillerich & Bradsby (aka Louisville Slugger) and worked there for eleven years. He operated a dairy and later opened his own business in the old dairy barn called Shelidd Golf Blank Drying Company. After he sold out, he returned to his true passion of farming and spending time with family. He loved to garden, especially raising tomatoes to can, juice and give to friends & family, go fishing, watch Fox News and eating a good meal whether a homemade one or Moonlite BBQ buffet or breakfast at Cracker Barrel. Country ham, biscuits & gravy, overlight eggs, and fried catfish or crappie were his favorites,

Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m. Monday, (September 14, 2026) at the Dermitt Funeral Home in Leitchfield. Bro. Murrell Meredith will be officiating. Burial will be in the Walnut Hill Cemetery with Chester’s grandsons serving as pallbearers.

Visitation will be at the Dermitt Funeral Home from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday and from 9:00 a.m. Monday until time of services.