Mr. Mack Oliver Childs

Mr. Mack Oliver Childs, of Toccoa, Georgia, went to be with Jesus on Friday, July 7, 2023.  Mack, 76, passed away peacefully in his home after an extended illness while surrounded by his loving family.

Mack was born on May 14, 1947, to Clarence and Mildred Childs in Commerce, Georgia.  After high school he joined the United States Army which was the beginning of a life of public service in law enforcement.

After his military service, Mack met the love of his life, Shirley Anne Ray.  They were married on March 30, 1968.  Later that year, Mack began working for the Commerce Police Department.  In 1971, he joined the Georgia State Patrol and moved to Toccoa with Shirley where they began their family.

Mack served with the Georgia State Patrol for the rest of his career in what proudly he referred to as a public servant.  His career included stops in Lawrenceville and Madison.  Mack would eventually return to where he started as a state trooper but this time as the post commander in Toccoa. After 32 years, he retired in 2002 from law enforcement but spent retirement continuing to serve others.

Mack was a member of Carnes Creek Baptist Church where he demonstrated his belief in serving others as a deacon and in directing the men’s Brotherhood ministry for many years.  He also was a member of Gideons International.  In retirement, Mack and Shirley enjoyed some of their happiest years together.  They spent countless hours on the lake fishing.  They traveled to many of their dream destinations.  Mack found a new hobby in woodworking.  In particular he loved making wooden pens, bowls and rolling pins on his lathe.  More than making them, however, he found the most satisfaction in giving them away to friends and family.  Most of all, they spent time loving on and spoiling their six grandkids and six great grandkids.

Mack was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Mildred Childs, and his brother Jimmy Childs.  He is survived by his wife Shirley and their two children, Matt (Dori) Childs and Cindy (Denver) Gunn along with three siblings, Joy (Charles) Ervin, Quinton Childs and Shirley Jean Pledger.

The family will receive friends at the Mortuary from 5pm-7pm Wednesday, July 12, 2023.

Memorial Services will be held at eleven o’clock Thursday, July 13, 2023, from the chapel of Whitlock Mortuary with the Rev. Jason Defoor, Mr. David Steele, and Mr. Parker Garrett officiating.  The Georgia State Patrol Honor Guard will provide Military Honors.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations be made to Gideons International or to the Men’s Brotherhood at Carnes Creek Baptist Church in Toccoa.

 Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers and sign the online guestbook at www.whitlockmortuary.net

Whitlock Mortuary, Funerals and Cremations is honored to be serving the family of Mr. Mack Childs.