Ellen Bankston Childers

Ellen Juanita Rowe Bankston Childers, age 95, of Glenwood, Arkansas passed away on Friday, December 25, 2020.

Ellen was born on April 22, 1925, in Amity, the daughter of Paul Holmes Rowe and Beda Ellen Franks Rowe. On August 20, 1941, she married Alfred Franklin “Bud” Bankston, Jr. Ellen graduated from Amity High School, became a licensed hairdresser and opened her shop in Amity. On May 19, 1955, in a tragic automobile accident, Ellen lost her husband, Bud. She then moved to North Little Rock where she was employed with International Graphics as an accounting supervisor. On November 18, 1971, she married Les Childers. They moved to Pueblo, Colorado and later to Tulsa, Oklahoma where Ellen worked as a business manager for a printing company. She and Les eventually retired and relocated to Glenwood where she served as the Director of the Glenwood Senior Adult Center for several years. Les preceded her in death on August 31, 2000. She was also preceded in death by her parents; her grandson, David Franklin Bankston; her brother, Paul Holmes Rowe, Jr.; her brother in law, Ernest Echols; her sister, Sharon Marie Echols; her niece, Nancy Jane Echols; and her stepson, Gerald Childers.

Ellen was a member of Grace Baptist Church. She enjoyed playing the piano and had a beautiful alto voice. She loved going to convention singings, and while she traveled many miles to attend them, what she cherished most, was the lifelong friendships she made along the way. Ellen had a contagious laugh, sharp wit and sweet spirit that will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Ellen is survived by her son and his wife, Paul and Pamela Bankston; her grandson and his wife, Christopher Paul and Amber Bankston; her great-granddaughters, Kandyn Warren, Kensley Bankston and Norah Elizabeth Bankston, all of Birmingham, Alabama; her stepson and his wife, Kim and Christi Childers; her grandchildren Amy Childers Mueller and husband Bryce Mueller and great-granddaughter, Millie Mueller; Matthew Childers and wife Morgan Childers, all of Dallas, Texas; and her stepdaughter and her husband, Sue and Ralph Torgensen of Long Beach, California.

Memorial services will be held at 1:00 PM, Saturday, June 26, 2021, in the Grace Baptist Church in Glenwood with Bro. James Owens officiating.

Memorials may be made to Grace Baptist Church, PO Box 1160, Glenwood, Arkansas 71943 or the Glenwood Senior Adult Center, PO Box 465, Glenwood, Arkansas 71943.