Tom Childers

Thomas Lee “Tom” Childers May 5, 1943 – November 23, 2025

Thomas Lee “Tom” Childers, 82, of Henderson, Tennessee, passed away Sunday, November 23, 2025. He was born May 5, 1943, in Tippah County, Mississippi, the son of the late Virginia Elizabeth Bennett and Charles Leroy Childers.

Besides his parents, Tom was preceded in death by his first wife of 55+ years, Anna Carole Day Childers, an infant son, Kevin Mark Childers, his sisters, Mary Helen Childers Davis and Lois Virginia Childers Moss, and his brother-in-law, David Lawson Day. He was also preceded in death by a step-son, Ronald Wayne Sain.

Tom is survived by his wife of two years, Susan Linette (Sain) Childers; his children Leah Carole Beaver of Henderson, Virginia (Jenny) Elizabeth (Rob) Johnson of Columbia, Tennessee, and Timothy Day (Lee Ann) Childers of Henderson; his grandchildren Zachary Thomas (Lauren) Johnson, Robert Zane (Eden) Johnson, Zoe Elizabeth (Dawson) Carter, Anna Elizabeth Beaver, Gregory Trace Beaver, Sadie Elise Childers and Taylor Lee Childers. Tom has three great-grandchildren as well, Bradley Zane Johnson, Dixie Anne Frazier, and Grayson Thomas Johnson.

Surviving step children include Trenton Lee (Wendy) Sain, Amanda Carol (Joshua) Horn, Thomas Alexander (Janet) Sain, and Lauren Rebecca (Ryan) Malecha. His bonus grandchildren are Gavin Thomas Sain, Madelyn Elizabeth Sain, Caleb Andrew Horn, Colton Isaiah Horn, Anthony Brent Sain, Jayce Ryan Malecha, and Cohen James Malecha.

Other beloved family members surviving Tom include his brother, David Childers (Karen), sister-in-law, Sharon (Tommy) Simmons, and sister-in-law, Sherrill Day. He is also survived and loved by Susan’s siblings Ken (Judy) Thomas, Kay Thomas, Reed (Tricia) Thomas, and Cindy (Larry) Albritton as well as many nieces and nephews from both families.

Tom was married to Susan Sain on November 12, 2023. They both taught Bible classes at the Finger congregation where he served as an elder and minister. They were able to host the 50+ Singles group at the August 2024 Sevierville, TN Polishing the Pulpit event. He was the layout editor for the Southeast Institute of Biblical Studies lectureship book for 12 years, and taught many classes during that time. Even though their time together was brief, they wanted it to count for the Lord. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren, and he found joy in sharing his knowledge and faith. He took pride in his family and in their accomplishments.

Tom was a devoted servant of Christ, beginning his preaching ministry in 1968. Over more than fifty years, he faithfully ministered to congregations in Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi, including nine years for his home congregation in Ripley, Mississippi. He also did fill-in preaching for many congregations. At the time of his passing, he was serving as an elder and preacher at the Finger Church of Christ in Finger, Tennessee, where his compassion, leadership, and commitment to the gospel touched many lives. He had worked with the Finger congregation since 2013. Tom also worked in jail ministry for many years, encouraging others to participate.

Tom grew up in Ripley, Mississippi and graduated from Falkner High School in 1961. Tom served two years in the Army National Guard of Mississippi and was honorably discharged in 1966.

He furthered his education at Mississippi State (Elem. Ed), then Freed‑Hardeman University in 1968. At FHU, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1978 and a Master of Ministry in 1993 with work toward a Masters of Divinity. He studied at Harding Graduate School of Religion, class of 1984. In 1985, he taught the first computer class at the FHU lectureships, and for many years he contributed both printed and electronic materials. He returned to FHU as an adjunct professor and later served as the Church Resources Director for Freed-Hardeman University. He helped edit and produce the FHU Lectureship book over 22 years. He shared technology with many individuals and churches.

He was deeply involved in the church restoration movement, serving as an administrator of the Friends of the Restoration Facebook group and being a founding member of the broader Friends of the Restoration community from as early as 1976.

Tom’s passions included playing golf, researching family genealogies, walking old cemeteries, and delving into restoration movement and church history. In Findagrave.com he created many virtual cemeteries for gospel preachers and other groups. He served with the Rotary Club and Lion’s Club in several communities. He loved attending men’s breakfasts provided by local congregations. Tom was very patriotic and wrote his Flag Speech which he presented in many public settings. He was a gifted minister, elder, counselor, teacher, technician, but mostly a faithful Christian.

Visitation will be held Friday, December 12th, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at Shackelford Funeral Home, 304 S. Crook Avenue, Henderson, TN. A memorial Service will take place Saturday, December 13th, at 11:00 AM, with visitation from 10:00 to 11:00 AM, at the Estes Church of Christ, 3505 US-45 N, Henderson, TN 38340.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to the Tom and Carole Childers Memorial Scholarship. Please send to the FHU Office of Advancement, 158 East Main Street, Henderson, TN 38340. Checks should be made payable to FHU, with Tom Childers noted on the memo line.

Tom will be remembered for his humility, his faithfulness, and his service: as a husband, father, grandfather, teacher, preacher, and friend. His legacy of love, learning, and devotion to Christ will continue through all who knew him.