Clifford Lee Childers

Clifford Lee Childers departed from this world at home on Wednesday, June 9, 2010 with his family by his side. Having attained the age of 63 years, Cliff was born on July 21, 1946 in Oneida, Tennessee to William and Lela Childers. He was the husband of Charlene Sharpe Childers for 37 devoted years whom he married on April 13, 1973 in Greensburg, Kentucky. Their life’s mission was to love each other unfailingly and to serve the Lord. They were the proud parents of three children; Angela Gwynn Childers Wilson (Mike Wilson), Lori Dawn Childers King (Toby King), and Ryan Matthew Childers (Terra Keith Childers) all of Somerset, Kentucky. He was also blessed with five grandchildren, Michael & Landry Wilson, Connor & Ava King, and Reagan Childers. Cliff had two brothers, Gerald & (Sheila) Childers, Billy & (Vicki) Childers, and one sister, Mittie Carol Shepperd. He also had many extended family members whom he loved dearly. Through the years Cliff walked what he believed. He and his wife were members of the White Oak Baptist Church for more than 30 years, and for the past eight years they have been members of the East Somerset Baptist Church where Cliff served as a deacon, his church family was extremely important to him. He took very seriously the possible influence he might have on others and he held no one to as high a standard as he did himself. There are many things that could be said about Cliff’s life, but the most important would be that he whole-heartedly loved the Lord. From a very young age he always had a strong desire to serve and help others. This was a reoccurring theme that was woven into everything he did. He enjoyed making people smile, making them feel comfortable, and he got the most joy from giving an encouraging hug. Cliff knew that education was the key to success. He received a double major in Sociology and Religion and a minor in Chemistry from Campbellsville College in 1964. After college, he worked as a salesman for Hornsby-Holt Chevrolet, was general manager at Ikerd Toyota, and worked for several years as sales manager at Alton Blakely Ford. In 1988, after receiving his real estate brokers’ license and insurance license, he operated Somerset Financial Center, specializing in real estate appraisal. Within two years, his dream became reality and he opened his own business. Through Childers’ Financial Services, Cliff had the unique opportunity to join his savvy business sense and his love for people into a very successful appraisal service company. He was able to put his life motto, “You have to do what you say you will do” into practice and because of this the company successfully grew to serve over 15 counties in south central Kentucky. Having the opportunity to serve his country was an immense honor. He would cry when the National Anthem would play or when he had the chance to speak to others about the importance of a Veteran. He had such a love for his country. Enlisting in the Army National Guard in 1970 he served diligently until retirement in October of 1996 having attained the rank of Colonel. When not at work, he made the most of his time traveling with Charlene and family. They enjoyed many special times together, but none more than spending time at their “home away from home” in Bluffton, South Carolina. While there, Cliff and Charlene quickly found that they were able to adapt to the southern life, slow down, and truly enjoy each other. It was there that many fond memories and traditions were born. Golf was another pastime that Cliff loved. He enjoyed taking golf trips with very special friends. The competition and camaraderie was what he lived for and enjoyed the most. When other free time was to be found, Cliff loved working on his farm in Nancy. During the summer he would spend countless hours cutting and putting up hay, as well as picking and shucking corn. This is something that as a family we never thought we would see. It was funny at first, but it quickly became a blessing to see how little it took to please him. When the end was near, Cliff would remind others how much he loved them and that “this world is just temporary”. It was when times were the toughest that his gentle nature shined the most. His words of wisdom, advice, and encouragement will be missed tremendously, but he would say, “Don’t worry about me; I am a winner either way”. Funeral services for Mr. Cliff Childers will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 14, 2010 at the East Somerset Baptist Church with Dr. Darvie Fenison, and Dr. James Floyd officiating. Burial will follow in the Mill Springs National Cemetery. The family of Mr. Cliff Childers will receive friends at the East Somerset Baptist Church after 6:00 p.m. Sunday, June 13, 2010. In lieu of flowers, the family requests expressions of sympathy take the form of donations to the East Somerset Baptist Church Building Fund. Pulaski Funeral Home is honored to be in charge of all arrangements for Mr. Cliff Childers.