Louise Alice Childs, 97, formerly of Titusville, passed away Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at the Chicora Medical Center in Chicora, PA.
Louise was born on May 29, 1926, in the Warren Hospital to Arthur Marsden and Iva Pearl (Schwartzlander) Ross.
Louise had two older brothers and three older sisters. She was raised in West Hickory and moved to Titusville at the age of 5. When her parents joined the First Methodist Church, the pastor let her join at that age, so she has been a member there for 91 years.
Louise graduated from Colestock High School in 1944 and worked at Warner’s Bakery and the Titusville Trust Company. She was married to Harold Stanley Childs on May 8, 1948. He preceded her in death on February 23, 2003.
Louise was a homemaker, very active in her church. She was also involved in the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). Though she was the youngest in her family, she became the matriarch in later years. She and Harold loved to travel. While he enjoyed gardening, she enjoyed cooking, canning, and freezing the vegetables that he grew. She loved to read and when her eyesight was bad, she listened to talking books. She would knit and crochet afghans, dishcloths, and towels.
When the Pitt Titusville campus opened, they opened their house for professors and then students to live with them. And when their nest was empty Louise took care of Jenny Dowling while her parents worked. She also helped care for Johnny and Harry Andrako who lived next door, and even later when they went to the Crawford County Home. Later in life, Louise worked for the Department of Vital Statistics on Death Certificates.
Her grandfather, Levi Schwarzlander, fought in and survived the Civil War. Louise lived by words that came from her father, “Always maintain the spirit of repose.” She also remarked how her outlook on life was like her blood type – B+.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and all of her brothers and sisters. She is survived by her sister-in-law Marilyn Edwards, brother-in-law Arden Childs both of Titusville PA, her daughter Linda McKissick and husband Samuel of Chicora PA, her son Rev. Jeff Childs and wife Rev. Dr. Robin Blair of Romulus, NY, and six grandchildren: Lori Rodgers and husband Jason of Aiken SC, Samuel McKissick and wife Kristen of Advance NC, Emily Blair of Ithaca, NY, Sara Malec and husband Chris of Frederick, MD, Courtney Blair and husband Ben Carr of Ithaca NY, and Ellen Childs and husband Paul Rowe of Rockville, MD, and nine great-grandchildren: Lexie Rodgers, Jacob McKissick, Kobrin Blair, Ila Blair, Kenzie McKissick, Gracie Blair, Charlie Malec, Lucy Blair, and Howie Malec, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, people are invited to make donations to the First Methodist Church of Titusville or to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
Friends will be received at the First Methodist Church 302 W. Walnut St. Titusville, PA 16354 on Monday, July 24, 2023, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at which time the funeral service will be conducted with Rev. Jeff Childs, Louise’s son, officiating.
The interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery.
The Gordon B. Garrett Funeral Home 303 N. Washington St. Titusville, PA 16354 is in charge of arrangements.
If you wish to leave a condolence for the family, visit garrettfuneralhomeinc.com
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