It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Sherlene Childress, age 76 of Knoxville as she went to be with our Lord Thursday, February 5, 2026. Sherlene loved attending God’s Place Church where she had been a faithful member for many years until her health began to decline. Above anything else, she loved her family and wanted nothing more than to spend time with them. She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Lola Childress; stepmother, Martha Childress; brother, James Childress, Jr.; sister, Susie Hurst; daughter, Dollie Kay Cooper, grandson, Jordan McLaughlin and last but not least the father of her children, Gary Leroy Cooper.

Survivors: faithful companion, Paul Eddie Welch; sons, Gary Childress, Joseph Cooper and wife, Kelly, daughters, Tammy Cooper, Sondra Cooper Bowling and husband Terry, grandchildren, Matt (Lil Matt), Joseph Macklin, Cody Bice, Alexis Bowling, Preston Varner, Dillion Varner, Shayla Cooper, Brett Cooper, Jerry King, Johnathan Spoone, Kayla Davis, Zachary Littleton, Skylar McLaughlin as well as several great-grandchildren along with a host of nieces and nephews whom she adored. Sister, Betty Cusick; brother, Robert Childress.

The family will receive friends 5-7 p.m. Monday, February 9, 2026, with the funeral service to follow at 7 p.m. Monday, Cooke-Campbell Mortuary Chapel, Rev. Donnie Scarbro, Rev. Tim Macklin and his wife, Shannon officiating and singing. Arrangements by Cooke-Campbell Mortuary, Maynardville.