Delphia Owens Childress

Delphia Owens Childress, 87, of Washington County, Virginia, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 24, 2025, at her home surrounded by family. She was born on August 12, 1938, to the late Simon and Hettie Owens.

A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, Delphia was a faithful member of Shiloh Primitive Baptist Church. She was known for her unwavering love of family, her generous spirit, and her unmatched talents in the kitchen. Her fried apple pies, potato soup, hummingbird cake, chicken and dumplings, and stack cake were legendary among family and friends — her cooking brought comfort and joy to all who knew her and will be dearly missed.

Delphia also had a deep love for gardening, flowers, quilting and canning — passions that reflected her nurturing soul and care for the simple beauties of life.

As a proud military wife for 21 years, Delphia traveled the world alongside her husband, raising their four children with grace and resilience before settling in Washington County, Virginia.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Simon and Hettie Owens; five sisters; and two brothers.

Delphia is survived by her loving husband of 68 years, Tommy Childress; her four children, Thomas Childress, Mike Childress (Elaine), Judy Begley, and Richard Childress (Terrisa); six grandchildren, Sara Rives (John), Rebecca Childress, Pattie Shelton (Jonathon), Kimberley Crusenberry (Israel), Tommy Childress, and Kelsey Cox (Carrington); and ten great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind many cherished nieces and nephews, and dear friends Sharon and Rob Francisco.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Shiloh Primitive Baptist Church in Delphia's memory.

Delphia's legacy of love, warmth, and kindness will live on through the many lives she touched. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, from 10:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. at Frost Funeral Home Chapel in Abingdon, Virginia, with a funeral service to follow with Bill Campbell and Garnell Gilbert officiating.

Following the service, interment will take place at Forest Hills Memory Gardens, in Abingdon, Virginia.

Frost Funeral Home and Cremation Services is honored to serve the family of Mrs. Delphia Owens Childress.