This site is dedicated to my Tippah County, Mississippi heritage. My fourth grandfather, James Childers, Sr. came to Tippah County in 1836. I was born near Falkner and graduated from Falkner High School in 1961. I have lived in Tippah County half of my life. I presently live 70 miles north of Ripley in Henderson, Tenn. and serve as the preacher for the New Hope Church of Christ near Middleton, TN. Click here to load a PDF file of my ancestors.
Tom L. Childers is the eldest son of Corporal Charles Leroy Childers, who served with Company C, 55th Armored Engineer Battalion, 10th Armored Division from November 1942 until November 1945.
Tom served in the National Guard from 1964-66 before entering the ministry. He took his basic training in Fort Gordon, GA and was a radio operator trained at Ft. Jackson, SC. He also served as a Chaplain for the Civil Air Patrol with the rank of Captain.
Tom graduated from Falkner High School in 1961 and holds four degrees from Freed- Hardeman University in Henderson, TN. He also attended Mississippi State University and Harding Graduate School of Religion in Memphis.
He has served as local preacher for the following churches of Christ: Mathiston and Smithville, Miss., Bawcomville in West Monroe, La., Vernon, Ala., Bolivar, Tenn., Olive Branch, Miss., Alamo, Tenn., Edgewood in Columbus, Ga., his home congregation in Ripley, MS, and the Southside church in Dresden, TN.
In July 2000 until July 2005, Tom worked as Church Resource Director at Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, TN. He presently is living in Henderson and preaching for the New Hope church of Christ near Middleton, TN.
His interests include ham radio (Extra Class - WA5ZVZ), computers, genealogy, and photography of tombstones.
Tom and his wife Carole have three married children: Leah Beaver, Jenny Johnson, and Tim Childers. They have six grandchildren.
Tom is a former adjunct teacher at Freed-Hardeman University and his wife services as a switchboard operator at the university.
Tom L. Childers