Robbie Jean Childress

Robbie Jean Childress, 84, was born in Nashville, Tennessee on October 22, 1939 to the late Robert Burton and Hazel Willie Beatrice Jones Burton. She went home to be with the Lord on August 21, 2024 after a brave battle with cancer.

She was educated in Metropolitan Davidson County Public Schools and graduated from Pearl High in1959.

Robbie professed her faith and devotion to Jesus Christ at an early age as member of St. James Missionary Baptist Church in Nashville. Even as a child, she was often called on to share her one-of-a-kind voice in church. Her grandmother, Fannie Jones, would stand her on a box to sing before the congregation when she was too small to be seen standing on the floor. Robbie shared her gift with many congregations over the years being known for rendering powerful, soul-stirring versions of gospel standards such as “Beams of Heaven”, “Walk Around Heaven” and “Amazing Grace.”

Robbie retired from St. Thomas Hospital in 2002 after 30 years of service.

Her greatest act of service was the service that she gave to her family for her entire life. She was a guardian, protector and mother-figure to her younger brothers after the untimely death of their mother due to complications from childbirth.

She built a life of devotion to her children characterized by duty and love with her husband of 37 years, the late Norman Edward Childress. Together they taught their daughters the value of hard work, family and integrity. After raising three girls, being blessed with one granddaughter and four grandsons was an exceptional joy that she cherished even in her last moments.

Robbie was an avid gardener. She loved caring for her home and decorating in celebration of most any holiday—especially Christmas. She could make more magic happen in a kitchen in one hour than most people can do in an entire day. She was a wonder of a woman who will be dearly missed by her family from now on.

She is survived by: three daughters, Gredonna Lynn (Alphonso) Wilkerson, Dionne Charisse Childress-Berry, Tracy LeeAnn Childress; five grandchildren, Robyn Brionne Wilkerson, Nathan Edward Berry, Xavier Jordan Berry, Dominic Khalil Berry, and Malcolm Childress Doss; two brothers, Walter Bernard (Rogers) Jones, Leroy William (Luz) Burton; first cousins raised to love one another as brothers and sisters, Marcus Phelps, Anita Hughes, Gloria Cousins, Barbara Vaughn, Karen Gibson, and Derrick Morgan; nieces and nephew, Diane Jones, Wanda Jones, Barry Stewart, Diane Childress and Troy Howard; sister-in-law- Lauree Childress; dear friends Pearl Walker, Ardrel Sawyers, Ann Dozier and a host of other relatives and friends.