Genetty Childers

Genetty Ballard Childers, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and faithful servant of the Lord, went home to be with her Savior on January 20, 2026. She was born on September 18, 1924, in Commerce, Texas.

Genetty earned her bachelor's degree in business administration and her master's degree in education from East Texas State Teachers College. On December 27, 1949, she married the love of her life, Mervin Robert Childers. They shared 66 beautiful years together before his passing in 2016. In 1955, they moved to Arlington, Texas, where Mervin began teaching mathematics at what is now The University of Texas at Arlington. That same year, they joined First Baptist Church Arlington and faithfully served there for 70 years.

Genetty's life was defined by quiet faithfulness, hospitality, and a teacher's heart. At First Baptist Church Arlington, she taught Sunday School, Training Union, and children's choirs, served on many committees, and joyfully sponsored the youth choir for many years. Her dedication to nurturing others extended into her professional life, where she taught elementary school in the Arlington Independent School District for 13 years, shaping young minds with patience and kindness. In her late 70s, she took art lessons and discovered she had a gift for painting, using that gift to bless her family with meaningful works of art.

She was also an accomplished seamstress, as evidenced by the wedding dresses she made for her two daughters. Genetty loved singing and playing the piano, and she passed that love for music on to her daughters, Elise Childers Kearns and Pam Childers Wade, teaching both to sing and play. She was an avid sports fan-always cheering for any team her grandsons played on-and enjoyed following Baylor, the Dallas Cowboys, and the Texas Rangers.

Genetty was preceded in death by her husband, Mervin R. Childers; her parents, John William Sr. and Lottie Ballard; her sisters Catherine Speight and husband Carl, and Wenonah Melton and husband Delmer; her brothers Tim Ballard and wife Anna, and John Ballard and wife Helen; her sister-in-law Louise James and husband Wilburn; nephews Preston Speight and Mike Ballard; and nieces Teresa Laughlin and Sandra Hutto.

She is survived by her daughters Elise Childers Kearns and Pam Childers Wade and husband Mark; grandsons Chad Kearns, Caleb Wade, and Taylor Wade and wife Hayley; and great-grandchildren Grayson Kearns, Finley Kearns, and Liam Wade. She is also remembered fondly by numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family who cherished her tenacity, sense of humor, and unconditional love for them.

Visitation will be held Sunday, February 1, from 3:00-5:00 p.m. at Wade Funeral Home. Services will follow on Monday, February 2, with burial at 9:00 a.m. at Moore Memorial Gardens and a celebration of life at 11:00 a.m.at First Baptist Church Arlington. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mission Arlington in memory of Genetty Childers, whose faith and love continue to inspire all who knew her.