1946 - 2021
Retired United Methodist pastor, the Reverend Allison Claire Childress died at her home in Westminster, CO on July 2, 2021.
Claire was born on January 16, 1946, in Pittsburg, KS to Kenneth Allison Childress and Waneta Irene Sedoris. Following graduation from Joplin High School in Missouri, Claire attended Depauw University in Greencastle, Indiana where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1967. She received a Master of Theology degree from Iliff School of Theology in Denver, CO in 1985. Claire also received a Master’s Degree in Theater Arts from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, KS. On September 27, 1996, she and the Reverend Keith E. Thompson were married at the First United Methodist Church in Boulder, CO.
Claire and Keith would later serve as co-pastors there from 2004-2010. They also served as co-pastors at the United Methodist Church in Westminster, CO from 1996-2004. Prior to her ordination, Claire worked as the Director of Pastoral Care at the First United Methodist Church in Colorado Springs. Claire is remembered as a voracious reader, one who enjoyed cooking, traveling in the US and abroad as well as being out among the trees and flowers. Some of their special places were the Heceta Head Lighthouse and other B&B spots on the central Oregon Coast, where they took their dog Gracie to swim in the ocean. They also enjoyed trips to Maui and Europe.
In addition to her husband, Keith Thompson of Westminster, CO, Claire is survived by her brother Charles Curtis Childress (Kim) Seneca, KS and her former husband David Churchill of Los Angeles, CA. She was preceded in death by her parents.
Her memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, August 28, 2021 at 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Boulder, CO. A private scattering of ashes is planned. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made in her name to one of her favorite charities, The Grey Muzzle Organization, 14460 Falls of Neuse Road, Suite 149-269, Raleigh, NC 27614, [email protected]. For online messages to the family visit www.murphyfuneraldirectors.com.
