Roberta Bolen Childs

Roberta Childs, born Roberta Virginia Bolen on June 3,1931 in North Tonawanda, New York, is the daughter of the late Charles and Mary Bolen and the younger sister of Wally and Chet Bolen, both deceased. She moved to Virginia in 1940 and remained a life-long resident. She departed this earthly life on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 at the age of 92. Roberta is survived and missed by her loving husband Lee Childs of 65 years; and her eight children: Margie Murdock (John) of Sandy, UT, John Childs (Chauncy) of Oregon City, OR, Pete Childs (Mena) of Alpine, UT, Amy Perkins (Rob) of Leesburg, VA, Berta Aulestia (Erik) of Vienna, VA, Carrie Palma (Russ), Merrifield, VA, David Childs (Dawn) of Cedar Island, NC and Ginny Westerby (Ben) of Cumming, GA, as well as 33 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren. Roberta graduated from Madison College with a degree in Business. Her work was rearing her eight children, which kept her more than busy. Roberta was a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She reflected throughout her life her love for God and her firm testimony of and connected bond with her Savior Jesus Christ. She combined this devotion with her passion for music to become a founding member of the Mormon Choir of Washington, DC, in which she participated for over 30 years. Life was to be enjoyed. Her spunky personality delighted in a gathering of any kind, and she experienced “FOMO” when she wasn’t able to be included in the fun! If you needed a friend, Roberta was your person. She always wore an inviting smile, which she shared with everyone she came in contact with. Roberta never met a stranger. Her house (AKA the “Hotel Childs”) was open to all, where she invited many to join the family when they needed a home. She became their mother. You weren’t required to fit into a box, but were encouraged to be who you were. People were more important than things. She rolled with the punches, calmly enjoying the ebbs and flows of life’s tides. May her heaven be filled with big family vacations, lunches with friends, puzzles, cats, garage sales, flowering shrubs, thrift stores, choir music, diet coke and chocolate…and well-behaved, quiet grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, March 16, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 2719 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton, VA, with a visitation held beforehand at 9:00 am.

Roberta Bolen Childs

June 3, 1931 - March 5, 2024