By Chelsea Vance | The Selma Times-Journal

Judge Miller Childers, 89, passed away Monday after a brief illness. Family and friends remember the longtime district court judge for his fairness on the bench and compassion for those less fortunate.

After serving his country in World War II, Childers studied at the University of Alabama, eventually earning a law degree and returning to Selma in the early 1950s.

He would serve as district court judge for almost two decades from the late 1960s through the late 1980s.

Attorney Ralph Hobbs worked alongside Childers as an assistant Dallas County court judge.

“He was a great mentor. He was fair; he took his job so seriously. He was community-oriented and just a real caring judge. I really enjoyed my association with him and seeing that side of him,” Hobbs said.

Current District Court Judge Bob Armstrong agreed Childers was an outstanding role model.

“He was very respected by everyone who practiced law in front of him, and he had a good heart,” Armstrong said. “He treated people with respect. He really cared about our community and tried to be fair. He tried to make a difference. That was a great model for me to emulate.”

Childers also served his community in many ways, especially through St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and the Christian Outreach Alliance food pantry, which is now named after him.

Food pantry board member Nancy Bennett said Childers was a humble man who was always willing to give a helping hand.

“He would say, ‘Don’t put Judge Miller Childers, put Miller Childers.’ He considered himself as nobody special, just one of God’s children,” Bennett said. “He had a very deep Christian faith, and he cared genuinely for all people from all walks of life.”

Childers’ presence will also be missed at St. Paul’s, where he sat on the front row every week.

“I could count on seeing Miller sitting on the front row underneath the pulpit. I will miss him,” said St. Paul’s rector Jack Alvey.

Childers was on the church’s vestry when St. Paul’s voted to welcome all Christians, regardless of race, to worship in 1965.

“He was a man of unwavering faith and did so much to help shape St. Paul’s into a parish that truly welcomed people from all backgrounds,” Alvey said. “During the 1960s, Miller risked his livelihood for the sake of the gospel. He made St. Paul’s and Selma and better place. He is a saint in my book.”

Childers is survived by three children: Caroline Childers Majors, the Rev. Robert T.J. Childers and Benjamin Childers.

Funeral arrangements are pending with Lawrence Brown Service Funeral Home directing.