Shirley Childress Saxton
Shirley Childress Saxton (c.1947–2017)[1] was an African-American sign language instructor and interpreter. She performed with Sweet Honey in the Rock from 1980–2017.[2]
Shirley Childress Saxton | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Shirley Childress |
| Born | c.1947 |
| Origin | Washington, D.C. |
| Died | 6 March 2017 |
| Years active | 1980–2017 |
Biography
Early life and education
Shirley Childress was born and reared in Washington, D.C. to deaf parents, Herbert and Thomasina Childress, making American Sign Language her first language. She had two sisters, Maxine Childress Brown and Dr. Khaula Murtadha Watts.[3] Saxton earned a bachelor's degree in Deaf Education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and did graduate work at the University of the District of Columbia.
Career
She began her practice of interpreting for the deaf at Shiloh Baptist Church in Washington, D.C.. She was a certified interpreter and was a member of Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. She taught introductory ASL classes and master workshops on interpreting music across the country. She joined Sweet Honey in the Rock in 1980.
Marriage and children
Shirley Childress was married to Pablo Saxton. She had two sons, Reginald and Deon.[3]
Death
Shirley Childress died on 6 March 2017 at the age of 69 of complications from West Nile virus.
References
- Washington City Paper week beginning Thursday March 24, 2017(WCP published every Thursday) article: "Her Sign From Above" by Alona Wartofsky
- Gray, Katti (2005-11-06). "Sweet Honey in the Rock delivers protests, ballads". Chicago Tribune. p. 6 (Tempo).
Shirley Childress Saxton, who translates the singing into American Sign Language, came aboard in 1980.
- Daniels, Dawn Marie; Sandy, Candace, eds. (2000). "I Stretch My Hands to Thee". Souls of my Sisters: Black women break their silence, tell their stories, and heal their spirits. Dafina Books. ISBN 1-57566-653-7.