James E. "Jay" Childs Jr.

James E. "Jay" Childs Jr., 48, of Charlottesville, passed away on Friday, September 30, 2022, at the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville, Virginia, after an extended illness.

He was born on May 28, 1974, in Missouri, the son of James E. Childs Sr. and Aleta L. (Smith) Childs.

Growing up in Warrenton, Virginia, Jay played on various sport's teams, which included soccer, high school football and basketball. As a young man, Jay worked in construction in Fauquier County and the surrounding area. He loved music, movies, and science. Jay would often spend hours listening to or playing music on his keyboard. He was an avid reader of science articles or watching science programs on TV or YouTube.

He was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at the age of 29. The disease progressed rapidly, and he lost the ability to walk and required assistance with daily living activities. Jay had been a resident of Trinity Mission, now Monroe Health and Rehabilitation Center in Charlottesville, Virginia since 2013. After his diagnosis of MS, attending movies at the local theater with family members had been one of his few remaining enjoyable pastimes.

He was preceded in death by his father; brother, Adrian Childs; and sister, Andrea Childs.

Aside from his mother, Jay is survived by two daughters, Jasmine Smith of Lake Jackson, Tex., and Lillianna Smith of Albemarle County, Va.; two brothers, Anthony Childs of Nellysford, Virginia and Jeremy Childs (Anne) of Maryland; a sister, Angela Coles of Culpeper, Virginia; a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, cousins and friends.

Jay participated in the LifeNet Health Organ Donor Program. His liver and kidneys were donated giving a second chance at life to three individuals.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, October 8, 2022, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Lovingston, Virginia. Jay's cremains will be placed in the columbarium at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Amherst, Virginia.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society 4200 Innslake Drive Suite 301 Glen Allen, Virginia 23060.

Family and friends may share their condolences and memories online in the guestbook at www.mccutcheonandjonesfh.com professional services provided by McCutcheon & Jones Funeral Home and Cremation Services (540) 943-6938 or (540) 886-2601.