Book of Golden Deeds 2009
B. M. Millers Childers was born 1 October 1926 in Selma, AL, to E. Roy Childers and Margaret O. Miller Childers.
He attended Selma Public schools graduating from Parrish High School in 1944 where he played as first string tackle on the football team. He entered the University of Alabama in August 1944, but then joined the US Navy in September just before his 18th birthday. He served on active duty in the Pacific Theater on various ships. He was honorably discharged as Quartermaster 3rd Class in 1946.
He re-entered the University of Alabama gaining his Bachelor of Science Degree in Commerce and Business Administration in 1949. Continuing his education at the Capstone, he gained a Law Degree in 1951. Upon returning to Selma, he practiced law with Harry Gamble, Sr. He took a time out to serve as manager of the Dallas County Abstract Company for three years. He returned to practice law and on 1 October 1968 was appointed Judge of the Dallas County Court and the District Court of Dallas County, serving 18 years.
Miller Childers married Hallie Milhous Jones on 28 January 1950. They had three children: Caroline Majors; The Rev Robert T. J. Childers, and Ben Childers. He is blessed with five grandchildren: Bascomb Majors, Mary Martin Majors; Miller Childers Majors; Rob Childers, and Liz Childers. He also has a brother Roy. Several years after Hallie Childers death, he married Josephine Smith Ames in 2005. She died suddenly this year.
His longtime civic service has been exemplary and through the years he has served with numerous organizations and institutions. He is an active member of the St. Pauls Episcopal Church, serving as Clerk of the Vestry for 17 years; Senior Warden, Vestry member, Delegate to the Diocesan Convention and member of the Diocesan Council and Diocesan Standing Committee; delegate four times to the National Episcopal Church Convention. A charter member of the Sturdivant Museum Association, serving as President and board member; board member of the YMCA, the Salvation Army, Vaughan Memorial Foundation; the Cahaba Foundation, Inc.; Vaughan Smitherman Building; Chairman of the City Board of Education, and member of the Selma/Dallas County Public Library Foundation. He is an active member of the Selma/Dallas County Historical Preservation Society and the Olde Town Association.
n 1995, he helped form the Christian Outreach Alliance with members from St. Paul Episcopal, First Baptist, First Presbyterian, Church St. Methodist and the First Christian churches. This food pantry serves all people in Dallas County each Thursday morning in the Miller Childers Building on J. L. Chestnut Avenue.