Maria Elisabeth (Boon) Childress

Mrs. Maria Elisabeth Boon Childress, 86 of Blackshear, passed away early Thursday morning, August 11, 2022, at the Hospice Satilla Hospice House.

Born in Amsterdam, Holland on October 12, 1935, she had lived all over the world prior to settling in Blackshear twenty years ago.  Mrs. Childress grew up in German-occupied Holland during World War II.  This hard life at such a young age taught her to embrace life and not take it for granted.  She would go on to marry Shirlon Ray Childress who was serving in the US Air Force and was fortunate to live in Italy, Germany, and other locations throughout his military career.  Myrtle Beach, South Carolina was home for several years as well as living on a sailboat for five years.  Mrs. Childress would also live in Melbourne, FL and the Bahamas where she was co-owner of Nippers Restaurant.  Once she sold her share of the restaurant, she opened the Coco Paradise Beach Resort and ran it for a few years prior to selling it and moving to Blackshear.  While living in Blackshear she owned The Dutch Treat Restaurant on Main Street as well as bought and flipped houses where she would do most of the work herself.  Working with stained glass, basketweaving, cooking, scuba diving, skiing, and wind surfing were some of her favorite things to do.  Mrs. Childress was also a huge animal lover.  She attended Bethel Pentecostal Lighthouse Church and Emmanuel Baptist Church.

She was a daughter of the late Willamina Clasina Wagner.  She was also preceded in death by her husband, Shirlon Ray Childress; both of her daughters, Susan Elizabeth Childress and Elizabeth Clasina; and her sister, Bepee Boon.

Survivors include her son, Jody Childress of Aiken, SC; her granddaughter, Courtney Elizabeth (R. J.) Hansel of El Paso, TX; her brother, Aad Boon of Den Haag, Holland; her former daughter-in-law, Brenda Childress of Blackshear; and several nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

The family will celebrate Mrs. Childress’ life at a later date in South Carolina.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online register at www.pearsondial.com.

Pearson-Dial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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