Dr. Walter Childs, III

Obituary For Dr. Walter Childs, III

Born on July 27, 1941, in Hickory, NC, to Walter Childs, Jr. and Liberty Washington Childs, Dr. Walter Childs, III entered the world with a purpose as strong and enduring as the mountains that framed his early years. From humble beginnings during the era of segregation, he rose to become a transformative servant leader whose life’s work reshaped the landscape of education, equity, and community empowerment across the American South. Departing this earthly realm on December 2, 2025, Dr. Childs left an indelible legacy that shines brightly in the hearts of those he touched.

A humble and trailblazing crusader for equitable education and community development, Dr. Childs was one of 30 out of 32 students in his class who graduated high school. He went on to begin his collegiate career as a proud graduate of Winston-Salem Teacher’s College, earning his bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Music before going on to break barriers as the first Black student in the University of Florida’s Earth Science master’s program. His early teaching career at Camp Lejeune’s military schools marked just the beginning of a lifelong devotion to nurturing minds and building stronger systems for learning. His leadership soon carried him from middle school classrooms to central offices, from university lecture halls to state education boards—all while leaving trails of excellence, equity, and opportunity wherever he served.

Dr. Childs earned his doctorate from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, embarking on a distinguished career spanning universities and communities throughout North Carolina, Louisiana, and South Carolina. Never to be placed in a box and continually striving to lift as he climbed, his service extended beyond education. Whether training aspiring principals at South Carolina State University, directing teacher development at Grambling State University’s lab school, or guiding Winston-Salem State and Livingstone College through critical educational milestones, Dr. Childs embodied selfless servant leadership. His work securing grants for Black girls in math and science with the National Black Child Development Institute reflected his unshakable belief that every child—regardless of race, gender, or circumstance—deserved access to a high-quality education.

In 2004, he took his commitment to public service to the next level by winning a seat on the Guilford County School Board, citing an opportunity to improve the lives of children. Dr. Childs was a vital board member and chair for numerous community entities, including the National Black Child Development Institute, the High Point Human Relations Commission, and the National Alumni Association of Winston-Salem State University, just to name a few.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Dr. Childs was also known as a powerful bass vocalist. He shared his musical talent in quartets and choirs with his father as a child and was a dedicated member of several choirs throughout his life including the Heritage Singers, Winston-Salem State University Alumni Choir and several Messiah choirs including the M. P. Brown Community Choir, where his wife Dorothy, served as Director.

Fraternally, Dr. Childs became a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. through the Delta Alpha Chapter at Winston-Salem Teacher’s College in 1961, where he served as President. Deeply committed to his brotherhood’s charge of "Culture for Service and Service for Humanity,” Brother Childs served as an active member in several chapters to include Beta Eta Sigma Chapter (Grambling, LA), Eta Omicron Sigma Chapter (Orangeburg, SC), Gamma Beta Sigma Chapter (Greensboro, NC) and a member of Delta Sigma Chapter in Winston-Salem, NC.

His faith was the cornerstone of his life. He was a devoted member of Memorial United Methodist Church, where he served as Lay Leader in the United Methodist Church, served on the SPRC, sang on the Chancel and Men’s choirs, and taught both Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, reflecting his unshakeable faith in Jesus Christ and the value he placed in education and the youth.

Dr. Childs was preceded in death by the love of his life, favorite songbird, and cherished wife of 60 years, Dorothy Stafford Childs; his parents; sister Sarah Mae Scott, brothers, Ralph Childs Sr., James Childs Sr., and Calvin Washington; dearly held daughter-in-love, Martha Childs; and beloved son-in-love Terry Glenn Kindred. He leaves to honor his legacy his devoted children, Walter B. Childs, IV and Angela Childs-Kindred; adored granddaughter, Alysha Kindred and grandson, Emmanuel Hines; loving siblings, Odessa Hall (Hickory, NC), Thomas Childs (Jacksonville, NC), and Linda Childs (New York, NY); brother-in-law, Harry Stafford (Patricia) (Atlanta, GA); and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, fraternity brothers, sorority sisters, and friends. His compassionate caretakers, Francine Perkins and Angela Isaac, provided comfort and dignity through his journey of grace.

Only an encyclopedia of good works, can fully account for the reverberating impact of Dr. Walter Childs, III, relentless pursuit of justice and excellence in education that shaped futures and inspired so many. A scholar with a servant’s heart, a visionary who refused to accept inequity as truth, and a leader who left every institution and every life he touched richer than before. His legacy will continue to echo in the classrooms he built, the communities he uplifted, and the countless lives he inspired.

“Well done, good and faithful servant. Your work on earth is done—but your light continues to guide.”

Funeral service will be held Thursday, December 11, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at Memorial United Methodist Church. Interment will follow at Guilford Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at the church from 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m.

Final arrangements are entrusted to Phillips Funeral Service, Inc.