Cartersville, GA – Harry Eugene Childers of Cartersville, GA passed away Thursday July 21, 2022 and was affectionately known as “Mr. Bruton” and “Pops” to family as well as to friends he quickly considered family.
Harry was a proud Tar Heel, born and raised in Kings Mountain, North Carolina by his late parents, Charlie Jesse and Marylou Scruggs Childers.
Mr. Childers served our country in the United States Army. As a servant to Christ, the Childers’ lives included many mission trips with youth groups from Tabernacle Baptist Church and “Pops” was the man behind the wheel of the bus quite often. Harry cared for young people. He was interested in them and followed their lives and interests into adulthood. He cared for many and took their interests and situations to heart. Harry Childers greatly valued his family. His family did not have the requirement of being kin by birth, rather in the sense of being inclusive of all who wanted to be included, and Harry and Gail opened the gates wide to their inner circle of family.
“Mr. Bruton” was a fierce protector and watched over us with the utmost vigilance as our guardian. He loved us in a way that made us never doubt that he was there in our lives, and he gave us all courage to do our best at whatever it was that we aimed to do. He was generous with his time, supportive and ever present. He will be missed tremendously.
Harry’s career was spent in Atlanta as a skillful superintendent for Specialty Interior Finishes where he thrived and was well respected. In retirement, he found a spot that was perfect for him as a member of the Owen Funeral Home staff. His calm and caring countenance comforted people from all walks of life and Harry loved working in a spot that seemed perfect for him. In his free time through the years, “Pops” loved watching old westerns on television in his Cadillac of recliners and playing golf or fishing with his buddies, and collecting vintage cars, among which were his ’74 and ‘00 Corvettes and his shiny, red hot ’40 Ford coupe. He also loved sports of all kinds and spent time attending events while supporting the Cartersville Purple Hurricanes, Kings Mountain Mountaineers, his home team, as well as his grandchildren and great grandchildren in their various events.
Harry had friends all over and he helped whenever needed without fail. He would want everyone to know that his most important relationship was with his Savior, Jesus Christ. Harry gave freely of his possessions, his genuine interest, and his time and many talents. People learned gentle lessons from Harry Eugene Childers that still carry them through life. If you didn’t want to know his opinion, you just shouldn’t have asked. He was brutally honest and genuinely good to the core, a sensible and solid man.
Harry is preceded in death by three siblings, Dick, Wayne and Lillie Mae. He is survived by his wife of 53 wonderful years, Gail Davis Childers. Also surviving are his son Tony (Theresa) Childers of Kings Mountain, NC and his daughters, Connie A. McSwain, Cindy (Tom) Farmer of Cartersville; a brother, Charles Childers of Pine Hurst, NC; grandchildren: William McSwain, Chris (Randi Winn) McSwain, Morgan (John) Cadell, Jordan (Jake) Moore, Thomas (Mayara) Farmer, Cathryn Farmer, and Reagan Childers; great-grandchildren: Keirsten, Landan, Joel, Lilly Kate, Julianna, Elizabeth, Scout, Elijah, Joanna, and Stone. In Pops’ heart were also those he helped to lovingly raise and guide in life: John and Jennifer Appling, Kelley Bryson Price, Keith and Myra Hufstetler, Matt and Abbey Tillman, Brock and Haley Hufstetler, and the families of Christy Robbs Jones and Cindy Robbs Sanders.
A Celebration of Life Service will be conducted at 4:00 pm on Saturday, August 6, 2022 at Tabernacle Baptist Church with Rev. Kenny Jacobs, Rev. Chris McSwain and Rev. Josh James officiating. The family will receive friends on Saturday, August 6, 2022 from 2:00 pm until 4:00 pm at Tabernacle Baptist Church. The Interment will be at 10:30 am on Monday, August 8, 2022 at Georgia National Cemetery.
Serving as pallbearers are Tom Farmer, Thomas Farmer, Chris McSwain, Landan McSwain, John Appling, Keith Hufstetler, Brock Hufstetler and Mark White. Honorary pallbearers are Van Gilstrap, Michael Howren, Gene Lewis and Jack Reeves.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Harry “Pops” Childers to Tabernacle Baptist Church Youth Ministry.
Please visit
www.owenfunerals.com to leave online condolences for the family. Owen Funeral Home 12 Collins Dr., Cartersville, is honored to serve the friends and family of Harry Eugene Childers.