Grover G. Childress Sr. USN (Retired), 78, passed away on September 3, 2016 surrounded by family and friends. He was born in Keysville, April 14, 1938. Grover is preceded in death by his father, Preston Childress (Mary), mother, Savannah C. Higdon (Willie), brother, Wayne Childress, son, Bill Goff and granddaughter, Erica.

He retired as a Navy Chief Petty Officer in 1977 after 20 years of military service. During his tour of duty, he served in both Vietnam and Korea. After his military service, he worked for the City of Jacksonville, where he retired as Chief of Security.

Grover was a beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfather. He will be missed by his loving and caring wife, Martha Sue of 23 years and daughters, Deborah and Elizabeth. When visiting his hometown, Keysville, he was always thrilled to see his favorite nieces, Tammy and Tonya and always talked so fondly of them. The light of his life was his beloved sister, Peggy, which he spent many hours sharing everyday life happenings.

Hobbies and interest Grover and Sue shared were travelling with their toy poodle Cocoa in the mountains, camping with family and friends and the friends they made in the RV club they belonged too. One of Grover’s favorite pastimes was fishing in the Virginia lakes with his life-long best friend, Larry Philbeck.

Survivors include wife, Martha Sue; daughters, Elizabeth Smith (Butch) and Deborah Russell (Pete), Rena Sturivant; son, Grover G. Childress Jr.; beloved sister; Peggy C. Lee (Roy); and brother, Bill Higdon (Sharon). His grandchildren he left behind are Amber Winkler, Hillary Sturivant, Patricia Irwin, Daniel Coe, and Thomas John Williams. He also leaves behind a host of loving great, great-great grandchildren, nephews and nieces. He also left behind special loving friends, whom he thought the world of, Noel and Kelly Mixon and their two children, Zack and Gracie.

A funeral service was held on Friday, September 9 at Duval Station Baptist Church in Jacksonville, FL, with the Rev. Jimmy Flanagan officiating. Additional services and inurnment will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, September 19 at Jacksonville National Cemetery with Full Military Honors.

Please consider contributions to the “Wounded Warriors Foundation,” in his memory.

Peeples Family Funeral Home, Florida, is serving the family. www.peeplesfamilyfuneralhomes.com