Funeral services for Linda Childress,77, of Mangham will be 11 am Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at Calvary Baptist Church, Mangham, with Rev. Jeremy Butler officiating.  Interment will follow in Hewitt Cemetery, Mangham, under the direction of Dennard First National Funeral Home.  Visitation will be 5 – 7 pm Monday, April 6, 2026, also at the church.

Linda Louise Hodge Childress was born on December 24, 1948, on Barksdale Air Force Base and departed from life on April 3, 2026, in the comfort of her home following an extended illness. She was the beloved daughter of Fahy Everett Hodge Sr. and Francis Louise Brazell Hodge and cherished wife of Ronny Glenn Childress.

Her journey on earth was marked by her family, friends, and her unwavering faith in God. She dedicated her life to raising her children, her grandchildren, her great-grandchildren, and taking care of her husband of 59 years. She never did anything remarkable by the world's standards, but she lived her life in such a way to remind us all to slow down and enjoy the little things–a good cup of coffee, a lazy afternoon on the back porch, and a long phone call with an old friend talking about nothing in particular. She was always strongly disposed to the things she believed in–frugality, politics, and a strict nap time every day– to name a few. She loved nothing more than being surrounded by the people she loved, no matter how loud and chaotic it became. She was always ready to cook your favorite comfort meal, homemade of course, and everyone always had a place at her table. Her generous nature touched everyone around her and she was always ready to lend a helping hand, whether that meant babysitting her numerous grandchildren and great- grandchildren or helping to fold laundry and listen when life got a little too hard. She served Calvary Baptist Church diligently as church treasurer for many years, and cherished her time spent with her church family.

She was preceded in death by parents; brother, Fahy Everett Hodge, Jr.; and sister-in-law and best friend Dixie Faye Childress.

She is survived by husband, Ronny Childress; sisters, Connie Merill (Danny) and Ann Hodge-Jerrell; sister-in-law Margie Hodge; great aunt, Charlene (Mutt) Brazell; children, Dawson Glenn Childress (Rhonda) and Dixie Lynn Eubanks (Justin); grand-children, Lindsey Dean (Josh), Erin Chapman (Daniel), Cari Mills (Augustus), and Kristina Fleming (Brandon); great- grandchildren, Dawson and Andrew Dean, Ronni Warner, Emmalyn and Lindy Elouise Mills, Darcy Klaire Chapman, and Emma and Mason Fleming; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Pallbearers will be Daniel Chapman, Augustus Mills, Joshua Dean, Brian Weed, Christopher Weed, Joey Merrill, Dan Merrill, and Sawyer Jerrell. Honorary pallbearer will be Justin Eubanks.

The family would like to extend our gratitude to her medical team that assisted during her illness–Dr. Kyle Bruyninckx and staff, Dr. Patrick Smith, St. Francis Medical Center, Our Lady of the Lake Baton Rouge, Willis Knighten North and Dr. Ghattas and his team at the Highland Clinic. A special thank you to Ascend Hospice for the compassion and dignity given to her at the end of her life.

Online condolences may be made at www.dennardfirstnational.com .