The Medical Leader

Velma with President George W. Bush

Pike County has lost an iconic figure.

Velma Childers, a longtime figure in the Kentucky Republican Party, died Wednesday following a car accident.

She was 79.

Once referred to as the “grande dame” of Kentucky’s Republican Party, Childers served as a Republican National Committeewoman and was close to former President George H.W. Bush and his wife, Barbara. Childers also served on the Kentucky Party’s executive committee for 23 years.

Former National Republican Committee Chairman Mike Duncan, who was in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, said he was saddened to hear of Childers’ passing.

“We had been friends since the early 1970’s and she encouraged me to be involved in national politics,” Duncan said in an email message to the Medical Leader. “Velma was a fundraiser for and personal friend of President George H.W. Bush and his wife, Barbara. She was a loyal supporter of President George W. Bush and Laura. It is a sad day for Republicans and Democrats. Velma was a tireless advocate for our region and state. I will miss her very much.”

Velma Childers with Rudy Giuliani

Congressman Hal Rogers, in a prepared statement on Thursday, said he would miss Childers’ “advice, counsel and friendship.”

“She was an energetic civic leader always promoting the great attributes of Pikeville, Pike County and Eastern Kentucky,” he added. “She was a hard working Republican who firmly believed in conservative principles of government. She was a loyal and true friend of mine whose dedicated support I deeply appreciate.”

Visitation for Mrs. Childers will be 6 p.m. Friday at J.W. Call Funeral Home, and the funeral will be 1 p.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church in Pikeville.