Corey Wade's Obituary
“Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” – John 11: 25-26
Corey James Wade was born on January 21,1969 in Oakdale, Louisiana to the union of Shirley Ann Gadison Wade and Willie Wade. Corey was kind and welcoming to everyone, with a generous and loving heart. He was always helpful and never complained. It brought great joy to him to serve others in any way. He was a coffee connoisseur, and he loved making coffee for his co-workers and baseball families. He enjoyed cooking, baking, singing, dancing, and watching LSU sports. In addition, he was an avid traveler and loved driving across United States or cruising the oceans. Corey would have planned the trip along with the itinerary for each day in a wink of an eye. Corey was always ready for a new adventure as he made life exciting. He was recognized for his poetic talent as he had a passion for writing. Corey's favorite color was purple, and I would humorously remark that his blood had a purple hue. Corey expressed his desire to become a father from an early age, and he has proven to be an exceptional father to our son. He loved coaching him in baseball, wrestling, playing board games, throwing football, running/racing, fishing, biking, and riding go-carts with Ashton. Corey helped him with every sport he participated in along with teaching him how to become a man, dancing, and singing songs for school. He always reviewed his English or History assignments as these were his area of expertise. It brought him immense joy being a present and loving father to our son. Corey would frequently address him as "little sir" while instilling the importance of respecting others, emphasizing that age was irrelevant since he would eventually mature into an adult. He instilled the importance of prayer and having a relationship with God. Corey would tell Ashton to never allow his situation to define him and to continue to press forward and he was not defined by his situation or people.
Corey departed this life on March 19, 2025, at 5:15 p.m. at his residence in Spring, Texas. Corey was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma Multiform, Stage 4, Brain Cancer in 2021. He lived his life to the fullest and neither complained nor sought pity from others regarding his cancer diagnosis. Corey continued to pray for others and lift them up in prayers. He fought bravely for four years and never gave up. This was evident by Corey’s favorite scripture which was the Be-Attitudes in Matthew 5:3-12.
Corey was baptized and accepted Christ as his personal savior at the age of six by Reverend William Humphrey with Second Edgefield Baptist Church in Cheneyville, Louisiana. He was a member of Edgefield Missionary Baptist Church in Cheneyville, Louisiana. He was an active choir member and served as a junior deacon. In addition, he served as a youth leader in Sunday School. Corey participated in the Royal Ambassador Club; an organization dedicated to teaching young boys the principles of responsibility within their community.
Corey was a former Cub Scout and Boy Scout member as a youth. He competed in 4-H baking and BBQ competitions. He received several first-place awards for his famous coco sour crème pound cake among other cakes as well as being awarded the top Pitmaster title several times. In addition, he was selected to attend the 4-H Junior Leaders Conference in Chicago, IL based on his past achievements in his local 4-H chapter.
Corey graduated from Peabody Magnet High School in Alexandria, Louisiana in 1987. He played football for his high school. While in high school, he was awarded the Christian Leadership Association for Athletes twice by the Rapides Parish Athletic Association. Corey was selected for the “Who’s Who Among American High School Students” twice. He was a member of the Rapides Parish Black Achievers, and he received an award for his outstanding community service.
Corey joined the Louisiana Army National Guard on July 15, 1986. He was with 225th Engineering at Camp Beauregard in Pineville, Louisiana then he transferred to the 1st Battalion, 149th Aviation Regiment of the Texas Army National Guard in Ellington, Texas. His Military Occupation Specialty was 71D10 Legal Specialist. Corey achieved the rank of Sergeant. He received the following decorations: Army Service Ribbon; National Defense Service Medal; Driver and Mechanic Badge; Army Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon; Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal- (2); and Texas Adjutant General Individual Award. He received an honorable discharge on October 12, 1999.
Corey attended and graduated from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 1993. He received a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a Minor in Psychology. Once graduating, he was hired by Harris County Adult Probation in 1995. He later transferred to Harris County Juvenile Probation Department in 1996. Corey worked in the Intensive Supervision Probation (ISP) department and then later transferred to the Pre-Adjudicated Team (PAT). He enjoyed working with the youths that he encountered and ministering to them that they had the opportunity to do better. Corey always instilled positivity. He loved his co-workers and would make coffee for everyone. Corey completed 29 years of service before retiring on February 29, 2024, due to health issues.
Corey was a member of Fallbrook Church and had volunteered with the Troop 272 Boy Scout of America Fallbrook Church. Prior to attending Fallbrook Church, he sung in the Men’s Choir, served as an usher and was a youth usher leader with The Church Without Walls. Corey sang in the choir at Grace Church of Humble. In addition, he served in the Children’s Ministry as a Sunday School teacher at The Way Church and Celebration Church.
Corey said when he was a little boy that he prayed to God that he would find the right woman to be his wife. Corey met Pamela, the love of his life, at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on March 16, 1989. From the initial encounter, he would write poems and letters affirming his love. There was no division, and he discovered his genuine life partner. They were united in holy matrimony on December 26, 1992. To this union, one son was born, Ashton Michael who he adored.
Corey leaves to cherish his memories a “sweet wife” as he affectionately called Pamela J. Wade; the apple of his eye, pride and joy, one son, Ashton Michael Wade of Spring, Texas; his beloved mother, Shirley G. Wade, Cheneyville, Louisiana; one uncle, James Charles Gadison, Simmesport, Louisiana; one sister-in-law, Jacqueline J. Ausbon (Wilbert)-Cottonport, Louisiana; one brother-in-law, Larry Jones (Adriane)- Baker, Louisiana; six nieces- Natasha McCoy (Keith), Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Kayla Ausbon, Denham Springs, Louisiana; Andrea Jones, Baker, Louisiana; Kadra Ausbon, Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Talisha Anderson (Antion), Silver Spring, Maryland; and Brianna Brooks (William), Houston, TX; one nephew, Jermaine York (Shantrell), LaPlace, Louisiana; two great nephews- Malik Jones and Jaden York, Baton Rouge, LA; two great nieces – Sydney Ausbon, Denham Springs, Louisiana and Valerie Lanus, Baker, Louisiana; one goddaughter- Kadra Ausbon, Baton Rouge, Louisiana; one godson- Dylan Hall, Winston-Salem, NC; a host of cousins, relatives, and friends.
Corey was preceded in death by his grandmother, Annie Mae Wheat; two grandfathers, Charles Felton Gadison and Lawrence Wheat; one great uncle, Preston Walker; and one great aunt – Lester Walker.
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