DR. DENVER R. CHILDRESS, age 76, of Talbott, TN, entered his Heavenly home on December 3, 2013 at Jefferson Memorial Hospital. He was the son of Theodore and Edna Campbell Childress. Preceded in death by his parents and grandmothers, Mary Campbell and Mary Childress. He is survived by his loving wife of fifty-six years, Margaret Haynes Childress; son, Mark A. Childress and wife Mary Ann; daughter, Kimberly C. Gjedde and husband David C. Gjedde; grandchildren, Stephanie Childress and fiancé Dawson Patty, Andrew Childress, Kennedy Childress and Matthew Gjedde. He is also survived by aunt, Georgia Childress; and cousins, Helen Ferguson, Clara Echols, Tracy Butcher and Howard Sneed. Education was an important part of Denver’s life. He was a graduate of Maryville College and the University of Tennessee, where he earned the Doctorate of Education degree. His teaching career included Powell High School, Maryville Junior and High Schools, and thirty-four years at Carson Newman University as a professor of Mathematics. After retirement, he developed interests in history, photography, and walking in Panther Creek State Park. He spent many happy hours pursuing these hobbies, which he frequently shared with his grandchildren. His greatest love and pride was his family. He was a kind, gentle, and generous husband, father and grandfather. He had the God-given ability to see the best in people and circumstances which continued until the end of his life. A celebration of his life service will be held at First Baptist Church of Jefferson City at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, December 6, 2013 with Dr. Gene Wilder officiating. A reception will follow the service. Private burial service will be held at Jefferson Memorial Gardens on Saturday, December 7, 2013. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Denver R. Childress Mathematics Scholarship at Carson Newman University, 1646 Russell Avenue, Jefferson City, TN 37760, or to the Second Harvest Fund of East Tennessee, 136 Harvest Lane, Maryville, TN 37801.
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