Woodfin - Albert Lee Childs, 94, formerly of 27 Elkwood Avenue and Chunns Cove Assisted Living, passed away peacefully Saturday, February 14, 2009 at Memorial Campus of Mission Hospitals.

A native of Avery County, he had resided in Buncombe County the past 70 years. Mr. Childs retired in 1966 from Coble Dairy, was a member of Woodfin Baptist Church and was very active in coaching Little League Baseball. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed spending time with his friends and fishing at his summer home at Cherokee Lake, TN. He was affectionately known as "Papaw" Childs to nearly everyone in his family.

Mr. Childs was the son of the late Leslie Manning Childs and Maud Robinson Childs and the husband of Isabel Whittemore Childs who died in 1963 and Jennie Buckner Smith Childs who died in 1999. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Manning Childs formerly of Asheville; grandson, Brian Childs, formerly of Mooresville, who passed away in 1995; and a daughter-in-law, Jan Childs, who passed away in 2003.

Surviving are his daughters, Pat Childs Stephens & husband, Jay of Weaverville and Debbie Childs Foster & husband, Larry of Conyers, GA; sons, Bill Childs & wife, Sandra of Pinehurst, Don Childs & wife, Claudette of Burnsville and Ronnie Childs & wife, Joy of Canton; step-son, Wayne Smith and wife Peggy of Fairview; step-daughters: Brenda Webb & husband, Johnny of Asheville and Sandy Totherow of Due West, SC; sisters: Lena Wise and husband Lloyd of Newland, Thelma Andrews of State College, PA, and Anna Mae Carpenter of Spruce Pine; 25 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held 2 PM Tuesdsay in the chapel of Anders-Rice Funeral Home with Rev. Tommy Crowe officiating. Burial will follow in Ashelawn Gardens of Memory.

The family will receive friends 1 to 2 PM Tuesday prior to services at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Woodfin Baptist Church, 55 Elkwood Avenue, Asheville, NC 28804.