Mrs. Betty Martin Childs

11/7/2020

Betty’s Obituary Funeral services for Betty Lou Seabolt (Martin) Childs, 89, of Winnsboro will be 10 a.m. Saturday, November 14, 2020, at First United Methodist Church, Winnsboro with Rev. Bradley Swire, Rev. Fran Guy, and Rev. Chris Winterman officiating. Interment will follow in Myrtle Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Gill First National Funeral Home. Visitation will be 5 -8 p.m. Friday, November 13, 2020, at the church. Betty passed away on November 7, 2020.

Born on October 2, 1931, in Braden, OK to her much-loved parents Robert and Jewel Seabolt, Betty chose Winnsboro, LA for her home when she married Caleb S. Martin, Sr. of Winnsboro. Betty later married Howard Bryant Childs October 31, 1998, and added Howard’s children and grandchildren to her family. She gave from her heart to her family, church and friends until her earthly body was empty. Betty was surrounded by friends in book, canasta, and bridge clubs and regular church activities were always on her calendar. Her strong, cheerful spirit made all the world warmer and brighter. To know Betty was to know pure love and acceptance. Many of Winnsboro’s children felt her spirit at the Franklin Parish Library where she conducted children’s programs until her retirement. Betty was most proud of her four children, nine grandchildren and five great grandchildren. She unconditionally loved her extended family brought to her by Howard and lined her shelves and walls with photographs of all to keep them near to her heart. Betty brought light and love with her into this world. Her light has now gone out, but her love stays and grows with those she touched. Betty worked for the family business Martin Brothers, Inc. and also many years at the Franklin Parish Library. She was involved in the following organizations: Pearl Harrison Sunday School Class, United Methodist Women, Louisiana Methodist Cursillo, Franklin Parish Financial Fillies, North Louisiana Christian Ashram, No Name Book Club, Canasta and Bridge Clubs, and Garden Gate Garden Club; she was also Head Cheerleader and on the Homecoming Court for Fort Smith Senior High School, Miss Shreveport 1952, 1st Runner-Up Miss Holiday in Dixie 1952, Louisiana State Forest Festival Queen, 1952-53, and a cancer survivor since 1999.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Jewel Seabolt; brothers: Billy Ray and Robert Emmette (Bob) Seabolt, Jr.; the father of her children, Caleb Snyder Martin, Sr. and stepson: Andrew Barr Childs. Those left to cherish her memory include her husband Howard Childs, Winnsboro; Robert Wade Martin (Connie) of Winnsboro, William Daniel Martin (Marilyn) of Tucson, AZ, Caleb Snyder Martin, Jr. (Cristi) of Fort Necessity, and Alison Kathryn Poston (Sam) of Pineville; stepson, David Childs (Lidia); grandchildren: Matthew Robert Martin, Tucson, AZ, Kathryn Leanna Bitner (David) San Francisco, CA, Jacob Ross Martin, Chicago, IL, Elizabeth Brooke Aguillard (Dustin) of Crowville, Benjamin Lowrey Martin of Phoenix, AZ, Taylor Leanna Sullivan (Kemper) of Pineville, Riley Monroe Poston (Lexie) of Pineville, Mary Beth Huth (Nate) of Silver Springs, MD, Mallory Romero (Adam) of Mangham, Adam Richardson, and Clayton Richardson; step grandchildren: Christopher Childs, Cory Childs, Kristopher Childs, Stephanie Childs, Delilah, Lisa, Mona, Jennifer, and Angie; great grandchildren: Addison Grace Barfield, Jaxon Rodney Barfield, Jaggar Wade Agulliard, Tucker Wayne Sullivan, Lillian Blake Sullivan, Sage Luna Bitner and Jude Stone Bitner ; step great grandchildren: Skyler and Camryn Medlin, Cade Romero, and Emarie Brooke; a host of other relatives and friends. Pallbearers will be Dustin Agulliard, Ben Martin, Jacob Martin, Kelly Martin, Matthew Martin, Riley Poston, John Stapp, and Daniel Williamson. Honorary pallbearers will be Ricky Baldwin, Johnny Boothe, Johnny Guice, Dr. Jerry Golden, Mike Lord, Rudy McIntyre, and John Sartin.