Paul Edward Childers, who was known as “Preacher Paul” to many, age 77, of Mooresville, N.C., arrived in Heaven on Saturday, January 23, 2021, at Trinity Village in Hickory, N.C., surrounded by his children, Mandi and Mark.
He was born on February 25, 1943, in Iredell County, N.C., to the late Harry Lee Childers and Robena Munday Childers. Mr. Childers was a U.S. Army veteran. He was a 1961 graduate of Mooresville High School and later attended Gardner Webb University. Mr. Childers received his Master of Divinity from Luther Rice Seminary in Jacksonville, Fla., and later earned his Doctorate of Divinity in 1980.
Pastor Paul lead his life with a servant’s heart and surrendered to his calling of preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and serving people in 1975. He pastored five churches, New Buffalo Baptist Church in Grover, N.C., East Hickory Baptist Church in Hickory, N.C., Alexis Baptist Church in Alexis, N.C., Concord Baptist Church in Granite Falls, N.C., and Troutman Baptist Church in Troutman, N.C. He then served as interim pastor for Bethel Baptist Church in Statesville, N.C., and Dudley Shoals Baptist Church in Granite Falls, N.C.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, “the sweet Brenda Sue Brooks Childers;” and brothers, Charles “Rusty” Childers and Harry “Bob” Childers Jr.
He is survived by his children, Mark Childers and wife Cindy, and Mandi Moser and husband Kevin; grandchildren, Brock, Blake, and Brady Childers, Arlie Fortenbury and husband Matt, Mallie Jarrett, Jackson and Lauren Moser; sisters-in-law, Shirley Childers, Bobbie Childers, Myra Kelly and husband Colin; and many nieces and nephews he loved dearly.
On Friday, January 29, at Liberty Baptist Church, Mooresville, Preacher Paul will lie in state from 10 a.m. to 12 noon and then the family will receive friends from 12 to 2 p.m. with a celebration of his home going following at 2 p.m. with Rev. Eddie Graham officiating. Burial will follow the service at Glenwood Memorial Park in Mooresville.
Memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Association in honor of his wife Brenda Childers, 4600 Park Road, Suite 250, Charlotte, NC 28209 or Liberty Baptist Church Missions, 171 Johnson Dairy Road, Mooresville, NC 28115.
Cavin-Cook Funeral Home & Crematory, Mooresville, is serving the Childers family. Condolences may be made to the family at www.cavin-cook.com.
Preacher Paul was indeed a sweet man of God. Not only was he an effective pulpit speaker, but most importantly a caring minister to all who came into his presence. My heartfelt condolences to his family on his passing.