Judith Childers

Judith (Judy) Ann Childers, 71, diagnosed with plasma cell leukemia in 2009, went home to be with her Lord on Monday, Feb. 27, 2012, at Corvallis Manor. She was born Oct. 30, 1940, in Red Bluff, Calif., to Ottis (Pete) Claire Palmer and Edith Ann Palmer. Judy’s father, Pete, worked for the railroad, and the family lived in the caboose of the train for a number of years prior to settling in Red Bluff, then Redding, Calif. There were many great memories of family camping trips and skiing on Shasta Lake. Judy found her passion in the 1970s when she went to work for the veterans’ hospital and realized she had a gift for caregiving. She offered her gifts of compassion and good humor, along with wonderful hugs, to everyone she met for the rest of her life. Twenty-two years ago, Judy married the love of her life, James (Don) Childers. Judy pulled Don out of retirement to build her dream, a beautiful 16-bed assisted living facility, Amber Oaks in Redding. Don brought out the adventurer in Judy. Together they went camping, motorcycle riding, and hiking up Mt. Lassen. They swam with dolphins in Cozumel and Moorea, Tahiti. Judy and Don knew how to live life to the fullest, and they encouraged others to do so as well. Judy captured all of their adventures with her passion for photography. In 2006, Don and Judy sold Amber Oaks and retired to Corvallis to be near their daughter and continue their adventures. Judy is survived by her husband, James (Don) Childers of Corvallis; son Derald Castenholz of Redding; daughter Kimberly Nelson and husband, Dan, of Philomath; son Joseph Wall and wife, Kimber, of Redding; daughter-in-law Rose Childers of East Peoria, Ill.; daughter Donna Love-Bradley and husband, Gary, of Paragould, Ark.; grandchildren Jordan, Sebastian, Gabriel, Owen, Paula, Pam, Mark and Luke; six great-grandchildren; sister Janet Young and husband, Jim, of Redding; and two beautiful shih-tzu puppies, Benny and Missy. She was preceded in death by brother Jerry Palmer; stepson Kevin Childers; and parents Ottis (Pete) and Edith Palmer. Granddaughter Jordan (15) wrote: “The world has lost a beautiful, kind, loving and all-around amazing person. However, she has gone home to Jesus, and is no longer suffering. Now we can celebrate her life and how positively she affected everyone she met. Nana, I’m going to miss you like crazy, and I love you so much. You are my inspiration. Thanks for being such an amazing grandmother! You will be missed by many!” A memorial service will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 3, at Suburban Christian Church, 2760 S.W. 53rd St., Corvallis.

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Judith Childers

October 30, 1940 - February 27, 2012