Corey’s Story
A life of love, faith, and compassion — and the legacy that lives on.
A Life That Touched So Many
Corey was a beloved son, brother, father, and friend whose heart was as big as the world he so deeply touched.
Born on January 10, 2000, Corey was the eldest son of Jessica and Kris Beard and a cherished big brother to Hayden. He left this world far too soon on March 13, 2023, following an overdose—a tragic end to a life full of love, light, and compassion.
From the moment he entered this world, Corey had a way of connecting with everyone around him. Whether it was his family, his church, or someone he had just met, Corey made people feel seen, heard, and important. His presence brought comfort, joy, and a sense of belonging to all who knew him.
A Heart for Family
Family was everything to Corey.
He was especially close to his grandparents, spending countless hours with them and making them feel deeply loved and valued. As a big brother, Corey took his role seriously—always protecting, encouraging, and doing whatever he could to make his baby brother smile. He wasn’t just a brother; he was his biggest fan.
Corey was also a devoted father to his two little girls, who were the light of his life. His face would glow every time he was with them. His love for them was boundless, unconditional, and fierce. In every role he held—son, brother, father—Corey gave his whole heart.
Faith, Music, and a Gentle Spirit
Corey’s faith was a cornerstone of his life.
He attended Elgin Baptist Church, where he sang alongside his grandmother and aunt. Church wasn’t simply somewhere he went—it was a place where he shared his voice, his joy, and his heart. His favorite hymn, “I’ll Fly Away,” held special meaning because he loved hearing his great-grandmother sing it. That song became a reflection of the hope and peace Corey carried within him.
From childhood into adulthood, Corey remained the same at his core: loving, generous, and deeply compassionate. He had a tender heart and felt deeply for those around him. Intelligent, handsome, and quick to share his smile, Corey had a way of making others feel safe, seen, and loved.
Finding Joy in the Simple Things
Corey found peace in the outdoors.
He spent his summers fishing and his falls hunting—embracing the quiet, meaningful moments of life. If there was water nearby, you could count on him casting a line, always happy to have someone join him. Whether skateboarding in the driveway, sandboarding at the beach, or fishing with someone else’s grandfather, Corey had a gift for turning strangers into family.
Nature was where he found calm. People were where he found purpose.
A Legacy of Love
That love was one of his greatest strengths—and, at times, a source of struggle. His compassion often led him to walk beside others battling addiction, offering support, friendship, and hope, even when it came at great personal cost. Corey never stopped caring. He never stopped trying to lift others up.
At 19, Corey encountered drugs. Despite his own efforts—and ours as a family—he struggled with addiction from that point on. I remember clearly when he came to his father and me to talk about it. We believed we could overcome it together, but the road was far more difficult than we ever imagined.
Corey spent years in and out of rehabs and jails. Through it all, we never stopped praying for his healing. And he never stopped loving those around him.
On March 13, 2023, God called Corey home.
Though we grieve his absence every day, we believe he is now healed, free, and walking the streets of gold. His light lives on in our hearts, in his daughters, and in every life he touched. His memory will never fade.
At Corey’s Love, we honor not only Corey’s life, but the beautiful, giving spirit he carried throughout it. His story reminds us how deeply addiction impacts not just individuals, but families, friends, and entire communities. And yet—even in the midst of heartbreak—we also choose to remember the joy, the laughter, and the unconditional love Corey gave so freely.
