Dorothy Irene (Cotham) Janes Childers , entered into life on December 19, 1917 as the 7th of eighteen children and departed this life as a loved sister, wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Born and raised in Oregon County where she lived all her life, she did venture out to stick her toe in the Atlantic Ocean and in the snow of the Rocky Mountains. Gifted as a seamstress, she enjoyed sewing, quilting, crocheting and needle point. Her servitude heart always had her cooking, with her home open to all her family and friends. She loved to joke and laugh and talk about her younger days.
She was united in marriage to Otis Janes on November 18, 1936 in Oregon County, Missouri who preceded her in death July 25, 1982. She was united in marriage on May 19, 1987, at Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, to Wilson Childers who preceded her in death on July 8, 1991.
She is survived by her daughter, May Belle Beatty and her son-in-law, Martin of Thayer, Missouri; two grandsons, Mike Beatty and wife, Paige and Matt Beatty and wife, Rachel; three great-grandchildren,Marshall, Cassidy and Zach Beatty; two brothers, Melvin and M.J. Cotham; two sisters, Betty McCameron and Mildred Bartholomee; several nieces and nephews, including a special niece, Denise Pierce; other relatives, and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Marvin and Dora Belle Cotham; her husbands, Otis Janes and Wilson Childers; seven brothers, Almous, Dailey, Ulus, Lee, Jessie, Arthur and Ralph Cotham; three sisters, Edith, Essie and Lenora and three infant siblings.
Irene loved to sing and was of the Free Will Baptist faith.
Funeral services for Mrs. Childers will be Sunday, January 24, 2016, at 2:00 PM at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Thayer, Missouri, with Joseph McCameron and Jared Russell officiating.
The family will receive friends at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Thayer on Sunday afternoon, January 24th, from 1:00 PM until service time.
Burial will be in the Thayer Cemetery at Thayer, Missouri.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to the Jeff Cemetery, and may be left at the Funeral Home in Thayer.