11/29/2025
Linda Kay Childress, 76, of Coffeyville, Kansas, was welcomed into Heaven on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at Baptist Village in Owasso, Oklahoma. Viewing will be between 12:00 pm and 8:00 pm, Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at David W. Barnes Funeral Home. A Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 pm, Thursday, December 4, 2025, at First Southern Baptist Church, with Pastor Matt Friese officiating. Burial will immediately follow at Fairview Cemetery. Those unable to attend the funeral service, may attend virtually on Kay’s page at www.dwbfh.com and click on the live steam icon after 1:45 pm. Arrangements are under the direction of David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 N. Cline Rd, Coffeyville, Kansas, 67337.
Kay was born on Saturday, February 12, 1949, in Coffeyville, Kansas, to Russell “Whitey” and Agnes Irene (Connor) Hayes. She attended Field Kindley High School, graduating in 1967. While in high school, she was a member of the Robed Choir and the Tornado Tillies. Kay married Ron Childress on July 8, 1967, at Central Baptist Church in Coffeyville. She graduated from Wichita State University, receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. She went on to receive a Master’s Degree from Pittsburg State University, majoring in Special Reading. Over the years, she taught at several elementary schools in Coffeyville, Frankfort, Kansas, and Cherryvale, and was a Chapter 1 Reading Specialist, before retiring in 2012, from Coffeyville Public Schools.
Kay was a member of both the Delaware and Cherokee Tribe of Indians and was a member of the VFW Ladie’s Auxiliary. She also belonged to the Quilters Guild and spent countless hours making quilts to gift to family members for weddings and births. She and Ron, loved to travel, go on cruises, spend time with friends and relatives, and traveled many, many weekends to Branson, Missouri. She especially loved going to Branson during Christmas, where she enjoyed seeing the town “lit up”. She had a passion for George Strait. She enjoyed listening to his music and seeing him in concert several times.
She was called to serve the Lord in many different capacities. She enjoyed singing in the choir, and teaching Sunday School. She was currently a member of First Southern Baptist Church. Her faith was an integral part of her marriage and a vital part of how she raised her children. She was a faithful wife, loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, and colleague to many people.
Kay is survived by: her husband, Ron; children, Preston Childress and Andy Hicks of Ponca City, Oklahoma, Brady Childress and Shawn Howard-Childress of Owasso, Oklahoma, Ronda Cowan and Bob of Tyro, Kansas; grandchildren, Jacob Camp and Infinity Browing of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Haley Moran and Ryan of Caney, Kansas, Tyler Cowan and Abigail of Caney, Kansas, Jillian Childress of Owasso, Oklahoma; great-grandchildren, Inez and Issa Browning, Gracen and Kynlee Winstead, Castiel, Nadine, Santana, and Willow Moran, Waylon and Bentley Cowan; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Christy and MR Hershey; uncle, Bob Hayes; nieces and nephews, Rebecca Galindo, Martha Alexander, Russell Ralstin, Kenny Dewlen, Missy Pinckney, Tiffany Darnell; Staci Marti, Amy Oyler; many cousins, other family members, and a host of friends.
Kay was preceded in death by her parents; granddaughter, Hope Marie Cowan; sister, Lovella Ralstin and her husband, Mervin; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Emery and Catherine (Brady) Childress; sister-in-law, Janet Pinckney; niece, Helena Purl; nephews, Tommy Pinckney, Micah Hershey; and a host of other family members.
Pallbearers will be Jacob Camp, Tyler Cowan, Bob Cowan, MR Hershey, Phill Helt and Jim Owen. Honorary Pallbearers will be Kenny Dewlen, Ryan Moran, Darrell Sommers, Wayne Norton, and Joe Moyer.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ron and Kay Childress Memorial Scholarship, Coffeyville Community College, 400 W. 11th St, Coffeyville, Kansas, 67337, or Seasons Hospice, 6532 E. 71st St, #150, Tulsa, Oklahoma, 74133.
The family would like to thank the numerous friends, church members, and family, for their prayers, concerns, and visits; not only for Kay, but also for Ron, who cannot be here today to celebrate the life of Kay. Your outpouring of love has made this time much easier and will forever be remembered. We would also like to thank the staff of both Baptist Village and Seasons Hospice for their loving and compassionate care they gave to Kay during her final days.
