Age 60, Berryville, Va.
Clay “Corey” Childs, 60, of Berryville, Virginia went home to be with his Lord Saturday, August 31, 2024 at his home surrounded by his family.
Corey was born September 4, 1963 in Berryville, Virginia, the son of David Clay Childs and Connie Ann Jackson Wilson.
A lifelong resident of Clarke County, he was a graduate of Clarke County High School, Class of 1981. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Animal Science and Agricultural Education from Virginia Tech in 1985.
His passionate interest in showing, breeding, and promoting sheep as well as 4-H began in his teens. He served as a Northern District 4-H cabinet member, the State 4-H Vice President, and was a Virginia State 4-H All Star. He represented Virginia on the 1979 State 4-H Livestock Judging Team. He has competed throughout the country at competitions such as KILE and the National Contest held at NAILE in Louisville, Kentucky.
In 1988, he and his wife, Janet, together purchased a group of purebred Suffolk ewes and began Cornerstone Suffolks now Cornerstone Club Lambs.
In 1990, Corey began his career with the Virginia Cooperative Extension. He teamed up with Gary Hornbaker and helped organize and serve on the Board of Directors of the Old Dominion Livestock Producers Association. He continued his career with the Extension where his last position was unit coordinator and Animal Science Extension Agent for Clarke, Frederick, Page, Shenandoah and Warren counties. He has trained more than 1,000 kids in best management practices with project animals through the YQCA program.
In 2002, Corey received the Outstanding Virginia Shepherd Award. He was appointed to the Virginia Sheep Industry Board by Governors Mark Warner and Tim Kaine where he served until 2010.
Corey has participated in the Virginia State Fair Youth Livestock Week for the past 34 consecutive years. For 10 years, he served as Assistant Sheep Superintendent. He will be inducted into the Virginia Livestock Hall of Fame on October 25, 2024.
He has been an active member of the American Suffolk Association, American Southdown Association, and the American Hampshire Sheep Association.
He was a member of Fellowship Bible Church in Winchester, Virginia.
He married Janet Marie Stiles on August 6, 1988 in Damascus, Maryland.
Surviving with his wife are his mother, Connie and her husband, Hazen of Berryville, VA; his father, David of Berryville, VA; their children, Brett C. Childs of Winchester, VA, Kayla B. Gant-Ratliff and her husband, Brandon of Berryville, VA, Jordan Dooley and her husband, Michael of Stephens City, VA, and Brady C. Childs and his wife, Gracie of Berryville, VA; a sister, Cari Sheetz and her husband, Daniel of Berryville, VA; a brother, Casey Childs and his wife, Kathy of Berryville, VA; seven grandchildren, Braylon Jones, Torynn Jones, Blair Reidenbach, Dulaney Gant-Ratliff, Rowdy Childs, Rhyatt Childs, and Silas Dooley; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, September 14, 2024 at the Berryville Baptist Church with Rev. Mark Carey and Rev. Tyler Phillips officiating. Burial will be private.
The family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p. m. Thursday, September 12, 2024 at Enders & Shirley Funeral Home, Berryville.
Instead of flowers, please consider a donation to support the Livestock Judging Program at Virginia Tech by making a check payable to the Virginia Tech Foundation and mail it to 902 Prices Fork Rd, Blacksburg, VA 24061. Please include “In Memory of Corey Childs” in the memo. If you wish to make a gift online to Corey Childs Memorial Endowment.
Be the first to comment