Dr. Ross G. Childress, 89, a prominent Optometrist of South Charleston, passed away on Friday, July 14, 2017.

He was born and raised on a farm in Alum Creek to the late Willie Hayes and Lottie Moore Childress.

Ross was a graduate of Washington District High School, Morris Harvey College and the Chicago School of Optometry. He established his practice "Childress Eye Care Center" on D Street in South Charleston. His practice spanned a 40 year period. Dr. Ross also served as the Optometrist for Union Carbide and FMC and he served as a volunteer Optometrist for Kanawha County Schools. Upon his retirement his nephew, Dr. Willie Hansford Childress (deceased) assumed his practice.

Ross was a West Virginia Mountaineer Supporter. He was a member of the Lions Club of South Charleston, West Virginia Board of Optometry, The American Optometric Association, and the Charleston Baptist Temple, where he served as a Deacon. He was a founding member of Hilltop Baptist Church and as a young man was responsible for choosing the name of the church. Ross was a past president of the Kanawha Country Club; he was a Mason with the South Charleston Masonic Lodge, belonged to the Beni Kendem Shrine (Jesters, York Rite), the National Rifle Association and was a founding partner with the Citizens National Bank of St. Albans, where he was Secretary of the Board.

Ross loved the Lord with all his heart and faithfully served him throughout his life.

He enjoyed nature, farming, canning pickles, green beans and other produce. He loved feeding backyard deer, rabbits and birds. Ross always had a smile and a wonderful sense of humor. He survived childhood polio and maintained a lifelong positive outlook.

A devout family man, Ross adored his wife and soulmate, Roberta. He cherished his parents, visiting weekly and calling daily. He deeply loved and was loved by his family and numerous friends.

2 ^nd Corinthians 4:17

"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all."

In addition to his parents, Ross was preceded in death by his wife, Roberta Coleman Childress; infant brother, Troy Joe, brothers, Julian and wife, Alice, Lakin and wife, Lula Belle, Zack and wife, Lillian; sister Ruth and husband, Scegil Kinder; brother-in-law, Frank Boone; nephews, Steve Fisher and Dr. Willie Childress.

He is survived by his sister, Jean Childress Boone of Scott Depot; sister-in-law, Elberta Coleman Fisher (William) of Houston, TX; special friend, Bobbie Bayliss of St. Albans; nieces and nephews, Marcie Childress Bell (Kenny) of South Charleston, Gary Childress (Naomi) of Hurricane, Carol Childress of Louisville, KY, Cheryl Brua Posey (Troy) of St. Albans, Charlotte Robbins (Donald) of Sumerco, Linda Childress Creech (Randy) of Houston, TX, Lola Childress Roberts of South Charleston, Jane Boone of Winfield, Cathy Childress Busch of Charleston, Allen Boone (Jane) of Louisville, KY, John Pignato (Connie) of Dunbar, Roberta Fowlkes (Claude) Charleston, Mindy Pignato, Roanoke, VA, Jeff Fisher (Tammy) Tampa, FL, Cindy Fisher of Houston, TX, Sharon Kay Hurley (Namon) of Charleston, Heidi Fisher of Houston, TX, and Barbour Childress of Hilton Head, SC; as well as numerous great nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 16, at Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar with the Rev. Ron Scott officiating. Entombment will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 17, in Graceland Memorial Park.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 2p.m. on Sunday, July 16, at Keller Funeral Home, Dunbar.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to either St Jude Children's Research Hospital, PO Box 1000 Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38101-9908 or Hubbard Hospice House, 1001 Curtis Price Way, Charleston, WV 25311.