Deborah Joanne Childs, 66, of Columbia, SC, passed away on June 12, 2017, in Columbia.

Her memorial service will be held 4 o'clock, Friday, June 16th in Keenan Chapel of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, Marion Street, Columbia, with inurnment in the columbarium. The family will greet friends following the service. The Rev. Canon Robert G. Riegel and The Rev. Charles M. Davis, Sr. will officiate. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Joe and Romola Childs Fund established by the First Presbyterian Church, 200 W. Washington Street, Greenville, SC 29601.

Deborah was born in Greenville, SC to Joseph Edward and Romola Lendrem Childs on November 15, 1950. She grew up in Greenville where she attended Wade Hampton High School. She graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. Over the next 30 years, she worked in Human Services in Columbia, SC. She held positions with organizations such as Helping Hand, SC Department of Corrections, and SC Department of Social Services. She was married to EJ Dennis and later to Jesse Strickland.

Deborah is preceded in death by father, Joseph Childs, mother, Romola Childs, and former husband, Jesse Strickland.

Deborah is survived by her brother, Kenneth Childs; sister, Victoria Childs; children, Jason Dennis and his wife, Sarah Torrason Dennis, Tiffany Strickland, Mona Strickland and Jesse Strickland Jr.; stepchildren, William Strickland, Steve Strickland, Jessica Morris, and Theresa Weatherford; grandchildren, Ean Dennis, Maren Dennis, and Early Strickland.