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Dec. 5, 1926 – March 11, 2015

NATCHEZ — Celebration of life services for Katherine Howell Childers, 88, who died peacefully Wednesday, March 11, 2015, at her daughter’s home surrounded by family in Broussard, La., will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at First Assembly of God Church in Natchez with the Rev. Scott Green officiating.

Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home and 10 a.m. until time of service Saturday at the church.

Mrs. Childers was born Dec. 5, 1926, in Leake County, the daughter of Leon Howell and Audrey Weaver.

She was a faithful member of First Assembly of God Church in Natchez, raising her children in the church. She was a dental nurse for Dr. O’Brien. She was also a great seamstress and an avid gardener and loved flowers.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Ernest Childers; the father of her children, W. P. “Red” Turner; two grandsons, Joseph Turner Jr. and William Turner; one great-grandson, Jesse Neely; one sister, Jewell Barrett; and a special friend, Edward Byrd.

Survivors include one son, Joseph P. Turner of Vidalia; three daughters: Shirley Smith and husband, Lee, of Helena, Ark., Betty Sanson and husband, Joe Paul, of Broussard, La., and Sarah Nelson and husband, Mitchell, of Natchez; eight grandchildren; 25 great- grandchildren; two great-great- grandsons; three brothers, James Federick of Mound, La., David Howell of Ridgeland and Wood Brown of Brandon; and one sister, Grace Pope of Carthage.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Kathryn Strother and her staff, Dr. Salvaggio and staff, Amedysis Home Health and Hospice Ministries and the nurses and staff at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center.

Pallbearers will be Anthony “Tony” Wiley, Billy Nelson, Brian Goins, Joseph Turner, Tyler Neely, Richard Ratcliffe, Trey Neely and Josh Cazalot.

Honorary pallbearers will be sons-in-law.

Memorials may be made to the First Assembly of God Church in Natchez.

Online condolences may be sent to lairdfh.com.