Clay “Corey” Childs (1963 – 2024)

Clay “Corey” Childs, 60, of Berryville, Virginia, went home to be with his Lord on Saturday, August 31, 2024, surrounded by his family.

Clay “Corey” Childs

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 graduated from Clarke County High School, Class of 1981, and earned his bachelor’s degree in Animal Science and Agricultural Education from VA Tech in 1985.

His passionate interest in showing, breeding, and promoting sheep and 4-H began in his teens. He served as a Northern District 4-H cabinet member, the State 4-H Vice President, and a Virginia State 4-H All-Star. He represented Virginia on the 1979 State 4-H Livestock Judging Team. He has competed nationwide at KILE and the National Contest held at NAILE in Louisville, Kentucky.

In 1988, he and his wife, Janet, 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 over 1,000 kids in best management practices with project animals through the YQCA program.

In 2002, Corey received the Outstanding Virginia Shepherd Award. Governors Mark Warner and Tim Kaine appointed him to the Virginia Sheep Industry Board, where he served until 2010.

Corey has participated in the Virginia State Fair Youth Livestock Week for 34 consecutive years and served as Assistant Sheep Superintendent for 10 years. 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 in Damascus, Maryland, on August 6, 1988.

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 11:00 a.m. on 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 4:00 to 7:00 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 mailing it to 902 Prices Fork Rd, Blacksburg, VA 24061. Please include “In Memory of Corey Childs” in the memo. If you wish, you can make a gift online to the Corey Childs Memorial Endowment.