Chloe Childress obituary, Texas – Chloe Childress, a dedicated counselor at Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas, tragically lost her life over the Fourth of July weekend as catastrophic flooding swept through Kerr County. She was 18 years old.
A recent graduate of The Kinkaid School in Houston, Chloe was preparing to begin her studies at the University of Texas at Austin this fall. Those who knew her remember a young woman whose compassion and resilience left a lasting impact on everyone she encountered.
“Chloe had a remarkable way of making people feel seen,” said Jonathan Eades, Head of The Kinkaid School. “Whether it was sharing her own challenges to ease someone’s burden or quietly cheering a teammate through a hard day, Chloe made space for others to feel safe, valued, and brave.”
During her time at Kinkaid, Chloe distinguished herself as co-president of the school’s honor council, a varsity cross country runner, and the founder of a club devoted to supporting senior citizens. Friends, classmates, and teachers recall her as a loyal and beloved leader who radiated empathy and joy.
“She understood what it meant to be part of a community,” Eades wrote in a letter to the school. “More than that, she helped build one. Chloe lost her life upholding this selfless and fierce commitment to others.”
The unprecedented flooding that took Chloe’s life devastated much of Kerr County. The Guadalupe River surged 26 feet in just 45 minutes, reaching the second-highest level ever recorded. Officials report at least 80 people are confirmed dead statewide, including 28 children, with many more still missing.
Camp Mystic, situated along the banks of the Guadalupe River, was particularly hard-hit. Of its 750 campers and counselors, at least 11 died in the flooding, including Chloe. A photo taken the morning after shows debris, vehicles, and equipment strewn across the riverbanks—testament to the flood’s ferocity.
Chloe’s commitment to others was evident not only in her achievements but in countless quiet moments. Eades described how her honesty inspired her peers to speak up and how her resilience encouraged them to keep going.
“Her joy, so present in all the little things, reminded all who knew her to keep showing up with heart,” he said.
As tributes poured in across social media and within the Kinkaid community, many echoed the same sentiment: Chloe was a light. Friends described her as someone who never hesitated to stand beside them, no matter the circumstance.
“She was the kind of friend everyone hopes for,” one classmate shared online. “She taught us that kindness is strength.”
At the University of Texas at Austin, Chloe planned to study psychology, inspired by her love of working with children and her belief in the power of empathy.
A memorial service in her honor will be announced by her family in the coming days. The Kinkaid School has also shared plans to create a scholarship fund in Chloe’s name to support students who embody her spirit of service and compassion.
As Texas mourns the lives lost in this disaster, Chloe Childress will be remembered for her bright spirit, steady compassion, and her legacy of caring for others, even in the most challenging of times.
May she be remembered always for the lives she touched and the community she helped to build.
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