By Danny Minton

I recently heard the story of a man named Hody Buford Childress. After hearing it, I had to check into his life a little more. Chances are most of those who read this have never heard of him. It’s likely that he would have just as soon kept it that way, but after he passed away on January 1, 2023,  his story could finally be shared.

According to the latest census, Geraldine, Alabama, has a population of approximately 900-1,000 residents. It’s an area of the country with median income below the average of most Americans. One survey found that 21 percent of the population’s income was below the poverty level. But the town and area had one thing that many small towns share: love and care for all their neighbors, and that’s where Hody’s story began.

One day, around 10 years earlier, Hody walked into the pharmacy in Geraldine and asked the pharmacist, Brooke Walker, “Do you ever see customers that can’t afford their medicine?” She responded that yes, she did. Hody handed her $100 in cash and told her to use it if someone needed help with their medicine. His only stipulation was, “Don’t tell anyone where it came from.” At the time, she promised and put the money in a jar. The next time someone came in struggling, she reached into the jar and told them, “It’s covered.” 

Hody Childress (Childress family photo from al.com)

However, it didn’t stop there. Hody came next month with another $100 and the same request. He continued the practice each month for the next 10 years. When he was in ill health and couldn’t get out, he gave his daughter $100 and told her to take the money and give it to Brooke. “She’ll know what it’s for,” he told her. His daughter later talked about how he would send cards to people and put $100 in to help them out. He helped in the community and at his church, never asking for personal praise. 

Hody’s life was full of events that would have made many people give up hope, but Hody stayed strong. His father was killed in 1973 when a tornado touched down at home. His daughter, Tania, came running to them only to find her mother and dad crying over the death of her 7-year-old brother, “Butch.” Hody’s wife, Peggy, would later develop multiple sclerosis and die in 1999. Hody cared for her all through the illness.

After Hody died, Brooke could finally tell the folks who needed help, “Don’t worry, Hody’s got it.” The story spread, and soon cards and letters came in from people all around and of all ages. Inside were checks and cash with notes to continue Hody’s legacy. One little girl sent in $5 to help. As a result, the Hody Childress Fund was set up and continues helping those who struggle in hard times. Some letters even said that they were going to do something similar in their hometown. When Hody passed away, his cash flow was over $15,000 less, but he had made his small community richer in love and care for his fellow neighbors. It was a legacy that would spread far from this little town in northeast Alabama.

Kurt Kaiser sat down in front of his fireplace in 1969 and wrote the lyrics to a hymn in 20 minutes that would be a well-known song, especially in camps, for the decade to follow. With the help of Ralph Carmichael, they developed the tune that would resonate through youth groups and churches, and emphasized it with a line his wife suggested: “shouting it from the mountain top.” The song is entitled “Pass it On,” or, for most, it is known more by the first line: “It only takes a spark.” Here are the first and last stanzas of the song.

It only takes a spark
To get a fire going
And soon all those around
Can warm up in its glowing

That’s how it is with God’s love
Once you’ve experienced it
You spread His love to everyone
You want to pass it on

I’ll shout it from the mountain top
I want the world to know
The Lord of love has come to me
I want to pass it on.
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEPGTdEzB6o)

Hody Childress was a spark that set a fire that has spread to millions who have heard his story. One simple act of kindness by a man named Hody, who wanted to remain anonymous, blessed the lives of hundreds of people. It teaches us that one spark of kindness can change the lives of so many others as it grows from person to person.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35 (NIV2011)

Danny Minton, a member of Southern Hills Church of Christ, is a hospital chaplain