Grady Harold Childs

A Celebration of Life of Grady Harold Childs, 82, will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, April 12th, 2025, at Memorial Funeral Home in Corinth with his children and grandchildren officiating along with Minister Jay Street. Visitation will take place on Friday, April 11th, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM and again on Saturday, April 12th from 10:00 AM until the time of the service at the funeral home.

Harold died peacefully in the early morning hours of Saturday, April 5th, 2025, at his home in the Gift Community surrounded by his family. He was born April 1st, 1943, in Tippah County to the late Grady and Oleta Childs. Harold was raised on hard work, home-cooked meals, and the belief that if you say you’re gonna do something, you best do it and quit talking about it. Harold attended Spout Springs school and graduated high school from Pine Grove. After high school, he attended Northeast Mississippi Junior College where he met the love of his life, Kathryn Mask Childs. The two married in 1964. Harold loved Kathryn with quiet loyalty and just enough sass and mischief to keep things interesting. Together, they built a home full of family, love, and the kind of common sense that only comes from living close to the land. His children, Sunny, Sandy, and Mackey, inherited at least one of his signature traits: a stubborn streak, a sharp wit, and an unshakable sense of responsibility.

A proud husband, father, patriot, provider, and professional disciplinarian (at least to his children), Harold lived life with grit, humor, and a shotgun always within reach just in case a snake wandered too close.

Harold was a true outdoorsman. He didn’t just hunt and fish—he excelled at it. Deer season was his favorite holiday, and his tackle box was better stocked than most Bass Pro Shops. He was an expert at coon hunting. If it swam or roamed the woods, Harold probably tracked it, cleaned it, and grilled it with no recipe in sight.

A man of few words but deep convictions, Harold didn’t believe in shortcuts or sugar-coating. He believed in telling it like it is, raising your kids right, and always shutting the gate behind you.

He was funny, sometimes on purpose, often not, but he always meant what he said, even when what he said was, “Don’t make me come in there.” His sense of humor was dry, like the best kindling, and just as likely to start something. But behind that gruff exterior was a man who’d give you the shirt off his back, right after telling you why you shouldn’t have needed it in the first place.

Harold was very athletic and enjoyed playing baseball and basketball in his younger years. He became a coach and umpire in his later years. A much sought-after construction superintendent, his jobs often required extensive background checks to receive Top Secret Clearance that allowed him on the job site.

He was a lot of things to a lot of people, but to those closest to him, he was simply “Dude” for short from “Ol’ Dude.” Harold was the life of the party as well as the anti-voice of reason in most every situation. He also held the World’s Record for The Most Times Watching ‘Dances with Wolves.’

He worked hard, loved hard, and played hard. He will be missed by all who knew him. But he would tell everyone if he was here to, “Dry it up before I give you something to cry about!”

He was preceded in death by his parents, Grady & Oleta Childs; His father-in-law and mother-in-law, Amos and Zula Mask; and two nephews, Robbie Blankenship and Scott Smith.

Harold leaves behind his beloved wife of 60 years, Kathryn Mask Childs; his daughters, Sunny Childs Phillips (Glen); and Sandy Childs-Jones (Keith), and his son, Mackey Childs (Karen). He was blessed with his grandchildren and one great-grandson; four grandsons, Lee Hopson (Jana), Drew Phillips, Tanner Childs, and D.J. Phillips; two granddaughters, Kristen Childs and Haley Jones; and a great-grandson, L. Max Hopson, IV, all of whom will carry on his legacy of hard work, honesty, and a firm handshake that meant business.

He is also survived by five brothers and sisters: Betty Childs Cross (Ed); Kenneth Childs (Regina); Carolyn Childs Browning (Mike); Renae Childs Blankenship Lawson (Robert);and Gary Lee Childs (Paulette); a host of nieces and nephews and best good friends.

Pallbearers will be Jimmy Brown, Sam Keen, Glen Phillips, Keith Jones, Cedrick McCormack, and Dale Grappe.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you take a kid fishing, fix something that doesn’t need fixing, sit on the porch and appreciate a good sunset, and/or watch ‘Dances with Wolves’ with your family. If you have a favorite charity or one that helps kids like St. Jude, please consider giving a small token in his honor.

Harold Childs was one of a kind; the kind this world needs more. Although he’s gone from our sight, his boots left prints we’ll never forget.

Online condolences can be left at www.memorialcorinth.com for the Childs family.

Arrangements are under the care of Memorial Funeral Home.

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