UPSON COUNTY, GA - BIOS - W.W. Childs

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Elder Childs was born in Upson County, Georgia, January
18, 1857, the son of William Satterwhite Childs and Nancy
Blassingame Childs.

Before he was seven years of age his father died in a
government hospital at Wrightsville, Georiga, while
serving in the Confederate Army. He and his three younger
brothers went with their mother to live with his devout
grandparents, Wyatt and Susan Adams Blassingame, who were
pioneer settlers of Upson County.

Their influence for good in his life was inestimable;
their precepts and example were often referred to in his
sermons in later years.

His education was received in the Grammar schools of
Upson County. He was said to have been the most brilliant
pupil in the school, always standing at the head of his
class. He practically knew the "Blue Back Spelling Book"
by heart.

When a young man he taught school in Upson and Crawford
Counties and was considered to have been most thorough in
his teaching.

For forty years he was a member of the Board of Education
of Upson County and for twenty two years the chairman of
that Board, serving in that capacity at the time of his
death.

For many years he served as Mayor of the city of
Yatesville where he lived most of his adult life.

On January 8, 1884, he was married to Miss Melvina
Roberts, who preceeded him in death. God blessed this
union with four children: Mrs. Daisy Holloway, C.C.
Childs, Dr. William J. Childs, and Dr. W.B. Childs.

In early life Elder Childs joined Emmaus Primitive
Baptist Church, Upson County of which his mother and
grandparents were members......

In the horse and buggy days he traveled many miles to and
from his charges, receiving only the meager recompense
that Primitive Baptist ministers were given in those
days, this of course necessitated hard work for him on his
farm in order to support his family. This work was kept up
by him until in his late seventies....

For 52 years he served as Pastor of Old Bethlehem Church
in Upson County. At Sharon Primitive Baptist Church he
followed Elder Wilde C. Cleveland, at his death in 1904,
and served this church for 36 years, one year as pastor
emeritus.

For many years he was chosen moderator of the Echeconnee
Association, so well was he fitted for this office. It is
said that he married, baptized and officiated at more
funerals than any other pastor in Central Georgia....

Still possessing a youthful spirit, a clear memory and a
strong personality he passed away at the advanced age of
eight four, July 14, 1941, after an extended illness.

Funeral Services were conducted by Elder r.H. Barwick and
Elder V.F. Agan, services were held in the Yatesville
High School auditorium to accommodate the large crowd
attending...

Interment was in the New Hope Cemetery, Yatesville,
Georgia.

Source:
The Banner Herald, History of the Progressive Primitive
Baptists May 1955 Birdwood Junior College, Thomasville,
Georgia