The Carter A. Childs Family

From information by Minnie Pearl Childs

Carter Alvin Childs was born in Fairfield, Texas, on July 3, 1882, a son of Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Childs, who moved with their family from Fairfield to Jacksonville in 1900. He enrolled in Baptist College and worked for his father in his grocery store. He started at a salary of $25.00 per month. He married Minnie Pearl Lattimore on August 24, 1902. She was a daughter of John Hunter Lattimore and Nellie Katherine Knight, area pioneers.

C. C. Childs had bought a grocery store upon his arrival in Jacksonville, which he sold to his sons, Carter and Obie. This was the beginning of Childs Brothers Grocery Stores. Theirs was to become the first cash and carry business in town. The enterprise developed into a chain of stores. Later, Obie and his son, Oakley, left the grocery chain to pursue other business interests. The Childs stores grew to number 35 supermarkets in Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas, with warehouses in Jacksonville and Shreveport, La. The chain later sold to Kroger Company.

Five children were born to Carter and Minnie Pearl Childs, a son, John Charles, having died in 1907 at less than three months old. Rinfred Childs was born in 1905, and presently is a life insurance agent in Jacksonville. He attended Texas A. & M. and Baylor universities. He married Nola Travis, daughter of Dr. J. M. and Lula Stevens Travis. They have two sons, Bill, associated with his father in business, Robert, a Presbyterian minister in North Carolina. Alvin, born in 1909, graduated from The University of Texas, and joined his father in the grocery business as a partner. He was active in civic work here before moving to Shreveport as president of Childs Grocery Company. There he continued his civic work, was elected two-time president of Louisiana State Fair, and bore the title "Mr. Shreveport." He married Berniece Alexander, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mel Alexander, Jacksonville pioneers, and they had two children, Claire Childs (Mrs. Coy Martin), and Alvin, Jr. On July 24, 1970, Alvin Childs died of an acute heart attack.

Margia Childs, born in 1903, graduated from Baylor University. After teaching school for some time, she began designing the Marja brassiere, a creation that became internationally sold by Marja Brassiere Company. She and her husband, Harold Hamlin, retired from business, but continue their interest in growing azaleas, camellias and other plants that have given their garden a national reputation.

Janie was born in 1912. She graduated from Jacksonville High School, where she met Al E. Lowe, a teacher, and they were married in 1929. Al was associated with Childs Grocery and later in finance business in Crockett, where they now reside. Janie has a successful antique shop in her home. They are parents of two daughters, Nancy Jane and Mary Ann.

At retirement, Carter had spent 55 years in the grocery business. He was a Mason for more than 50 years and a Worshipful Master. A member of Central Baptist Church, he served as a Deacon. He was a member of Good-fellows' Bible Class, and a member of the finance committee. He was active in civic affairs.

At the death of Carter A. Childs on March 24, 1968, he and Minnie Pearl had been married for over 65 years, always lending their efforts to the building of Jacksonville.

A familiar couple in Jacksonville for their 65 years of married life were Carter A. and Minnie Pearl Lattimore Childs, shown above exchanging admiring glances.

Carter A. Childs at the age of six months

Carter and Minnie Pearl Childs, center, surrounded by their children, in-laws and grandchildren on the occasion of their Golden Wedding anniversary, 1952.

Four generations: C. C. Childs; son, Carter; grandson, Rinfred; great-grandsons, Bill and Robert.