Obituary of Margaret Chester Childs

Margaret Chester Childs formerly of 24 Spring Street, passed away Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010 in the Cuba Memorial Hospital Palliative Care. Mrs. Childs was born on Dec. 17, 1917 in Battle Creek, MI and was the daughter of Louis F. and Letah McBrier Chester. On Dec. 27, 1939 in Corning, NY she married her husband of 62 years the Rev. Robert L. Childs, who pre-deceased her on March 14, 2002. Mrs. Childs was a 1935 graduate of Corning High School. She received a Bachelor's degree in English and Drama from Alfred University in 1939, where she meet her husband to be. Mrs. Childs was accustomed to moving and traveling, she lived in McKeesport, Pa., Norwich, NY, and Corning while growing up. After marriage she lived in Corning, NY, Ontario Center, NY, Haskins, Ohio, & then Kodiak, Alaska. Mrs. Childs, while living in Kodiak, Alaska helped to establish a Women's resource Center for Domestic Violence in the 1970's. Even after returning to Cuba, she continued her crusade against domestic violence by volunteering on the Allegany County Family Violence Task Force, providing a safe house, manning the Hot Line, and serving on the board. Also while in Kodiak she was the Residence Director for Cry of the Wild Ram, documentary on the history of Alaska, from 1966 to 1979. Mrs. Childs and her husband returned to Cuba in 1980. Mrs. Childs was a member of the First Baptist Church, the First Baptist Church Women's Society and Current Topic Club. She enjoyed reading, cooking, sewing/quilting, and she was known for having an inquiring mind, always interested in learning something new. Surviving Mrs. Childs are three sons, John R. Childs of Winter Haven, Fl., James L. (Karyl) Childs of Battle Creek, MI, and Karl F. (Alison) Childs of Anchorage, Alaska; a daughter, Letah C. (Cliff) Samuelson of Irving, Texas; 8 Grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; and a brother, Louis (Mary Jane) Chester of Big Canoe, Ga. Friends will be received on Thursday, March 4, 2010 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM in the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc. #24 Genesee Pkwy, Cuba. Funeral and Committal Services will be held on Friday, March 5, 2010 at 11:00 A.M. in the First Baptist Church. The Rev. Larry A. Poelma, Pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in the Cuba Cemetery, Cuba, NY. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church, #17 South Street, Cuba, NY 14727 or to the Cuba Circulating Library 39 East main Street, Cuba, NY 14727