Mary Lou Childs

Mary Lou Melton Burgiss Ellis Childs, age 88, a resident of Cleveland, passed away Tuesday, September 12, 2006 in a Chattanooga healthcare facility. She was born in Bradley County to Luke and Canzada Melton on April 29, 1918. She was a member of Gum Springs Baptist Church. Her first husband, Bill Burgiss, preceded her in death. After his death in 1952, Mrs. Burgiss raised their six children with help from close family and friends with God?s guidance. In 1965 she married Noah Ellis who passed away in the early ?70?s. Later in life, she shared a love for camping and outdoor life with her late husband, Creed Childs. She will be remembered for her creative mind, and her love for home activities (cooking, sewing, crafts, and games) was demonstrated by her eagerness to share her skills with family and friends. She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Annie Ledford, a sister, Mellie Geren, and two brothers: JH (Ham) Melton and Horace Melton. She leaves behind a host of family members including her children and their spouses: Ronnie and Virginia Burgiss of Phoenix, AZ, Earnest and Phyllis Burgiss of Soddy Daisy, Robert and Linda Burgiss of Cleveland, Sue and David Evans of Georgetown, and Peggy and Vernon Gilley of Dumfries, VA; grandchildren: Randall, Donald, Tony and Johnny Burgiss, Day McDaniel, David and Weston Burgiss, Gail Bottoms, Becky Pippenger, Janice Herron, Brian Burgiss, Annette Carden, Dee Evans, Mary Jo Bethune, Ede Scannapiego, Will, Brad, Mary Beth, and Caroline Lathan, Kevin, Damon, Tommy, and John Ledford; one great granddaughter; two sisters: Sallie Bryant and husband Fred, and Lillian Tatum and husband G. W., all of Cleveland; and several brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, step-children and step-grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Friday in the chapel of Ralph Buckner Funeral Home with Reverend David Evans officiating. Interment will follow in Greenwood Cemetery with the release of a flock of white doves concluding the service. Her choice of pallbearers include: Will Lathan, Dee Evans, John Ledford, Brian Burgiss, David Burgiss, Tony Burgiss, Andy Melton, Patrick Melton, Rodney Carden and Ken Scannapiego.