Alice Matelyn Childress

Alice Matelyn Stafford Childress passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at the age of 96.

Alice was known to her family and close friends as Peaches. She was married to William “Bill” Joseph Childress, Sr, for 53 years, who preceded her in death. Her parents, Richard Gayle Stafford, Sr and Flossie Fletcher Stafford, brothers, Richard Gayle Stafford, Jr (Bea) and John Herbert Stafford (Joan) also preceded her in death.

She is survived by her sister, Tot Stafford Swanson (Art), brother, William Fletcher Stafford (Martha), and children, Kathleen Childress Thompson (Charles Lunsford), William Scot Childress (Julie) and Richard Wade Childress (Susie).

Her grandchildren are Leighton Thompson, Ben Childress, Hayley Lunn (Ty), Natalie Persson (Dylan), Abby Childress, Kaitlin Childress, and Bill Thompson (deceased). Her Great grandchildren are Tatem, Avery, and Dalton Thompson, Wills Lunn and Mia Persson. Her great-great grandson is Niall Thompson. She also has a host of nieces and nephews.

Peaches was truly a Southern Louisiana Girl. She was born in Plaquemine. Her father worked for the U.S. Corp of Engineers, building the Mississippi River levee system. As a result, she lived in many small Louisiana towns. Some were Plaquemine, Deer Park, Opelousas, Marksville, New Roads, Deridder, and Natchez. Eventually her family moved to New Orleans where she graduated from Eleanor McMain High School. Peaches was also a graduate of LSU and was an avid supporter of LSU football and baseball. One of her pleasures was tailgating with her family and friends. Bill and Peaches were world travelers. When Bill worked overseas, it afforded them many trips around the world. Bill and Peaches raised their children in New Orleans but moved to Covington when Bill retired in 1996.  Peaches loved her family, loved to read and enjoyed gardening. She was active in her church, Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church where she played in the bell choir and was social secretary for the church’s widow’s group.

Services will be held on Monday, May 22, 2023, at Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 1501 W. Causeway Approach, Mandeville, LA 70471. Visitation will begin at 11:00 am followed by a Mass at 12:00 pm. Interment will be private.

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