The service will be livestreamed on Facebook: H C Smith Funeral Home

“Sunrise” for Somer Leigh Richardson Childress was on January 4, 1984. She was born to Mother and Father, Carolyn and Kenneth Richardson in in Wichita, Kansas. “Sunset” for Somer was Monday, October 9, 2023. She was 39 years old. Somer fought a good fight; she kept the faith and has finished her course. She is now at home with the Lord.

Somer attended the public schools of Stanly County and was a 2002 graduate of South Stanly High School. After graduation, she followed her natural passion for helping others and enrolled at UNC-Charlotte. At UNCC, Somer’s passion for education was evident as she was on the Dean’s List each semester and was very active in campus organizations. Somer gave birth to triplets her senior year, but she was never deterred. Somer persevered and graduated from UNC-Charlotte with honors. She took her education to the classroom and proudly taught in Montgomery County Schools. In her later years, Somer enjoyed driving the school bus for Stanly County Schools.

Somer loved the Lord and displayed it consistently day in and day out. Christian education was a natural calling for her as the community could witness her always smiling and giving as she served. She confessed Christ at an early age and was a faithful and dedicated member of Cottonville A.M.E. Zion Church all her life. Somer led the youth ministry for many years and was a member of the gospel choir. She was a member of Cleo Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star in Norwood, NC. She held the office of secretary.

She loved her babies with all of her heart and they will always cherish all the fun times and love that she provided for them. She enjoyed fashion and beauty and was a Diva.

On July 22, 2022, Somer was united in Holy Matrimony to Martae Childress. Their union was blessed with love and devotion.

Loving and fond memories of Somer will be cherished by her husband, Martae Childress; her triplets, Ezra, Jayden, and Sahara Powe (JJ Powe-Father); daughters, Paris and Pheonix Watkins (Jesse Watkins-Father); stepson, Brendon Childress; parents, Kenneth and Carolyn Richardson; two brothers, Douglas (Chanice) Richardson and Durque Richardson; maternal grandmother, Annie Melton; 1st father-law, James Powe Sr.; grandmother to Paris and Pheonix-Bronnie Watkins; mother-in-law, Faith Jones Childress and father-in-law, Little Tom Childress; sisters-in-law, Roshonda Childress and Latonya Jones; brother-in-law, Christopher Hubbara; uncles, Melvin (Johnsie) Richardson, Kent (Kay) Melton, Norbert (Stephanie) Melton, Jahan (Atilya) Melton and Kent Williams; aunts, Glennelle (John) Clyburn, Sandra Kay (Grady) Bowser, Beverly (Allen) Wall and Beverly (Terry) Davis; nephews, Kyler and Zackary Richardson; godsons, Javontae Melton and Daelyn Diggs.

Somer’s special friends: The Naughty Girls- Sandy Shankle, Danielle Moore, Nicole Fodeke; Atilya Melton, Tasheka Calloway, Chery’e McClendon and Stacy Foster; her beloved pet friend, “Patches,” and a host of cousins, relatives, and friends.

The Homegoing Services will be on Saturday, October 21, 2023, 12:00pm, in the Chapel of Smith's Funeral Home, 604 Salisbury Street, Wadesboro, North Carolina. Interment will be private.

The Childress and Richardson families will greet family and friends on Saturday, October 21, 2023 from 11:30am-12:00pm at Smith's Funeral Home and at all other times at the residence of Somer's Parents,Kenneth and Carolyn Richardson, 5078 Plank Road, Norwood, North Carolina.