Mrs. Willie Lee Corley, affectionately known as "Mother," was born on January
18, 1934, to the late Pastor Willie Cummings and Eva Mae White-Cummings in Bamberg,
South Carolina.

Being raised in the household of a pastor was the beginning of Mother's journey to
seeking her faith in the Lord. At an early age, Mother, was baptized by her father, gave herself
to the Lord, and became a member of Free Gift Baptist Church. She attended Bamberg
County Public Schools and graduated from Richard Carroll High School.

On August 23, 1951, she married the love of her life, Clarence Corley and they were blessed
with four children. In search of better opportunities, they relocated to Long Beach, New
York. For the first few years, Mother worked in various jobs until she found her perfect job:
driving the bus. She drove for two bus systems: Long Beach City School District for twentyfive years and the City of Long Beach Transportation Department for ten years. Although
she had two jobs and was raising a family, she always made sure she had time for the Lord.
She became a member of the Christian Light Missionary Baptist Church and served in various
capacities within the church.

Mother never forgot her roots and after living in New York for many years, she moved back
to Branchville, SC. She went back home to Free Gift Baptist Church, where she was a member
of the choir and the Pastor's Aide Ministry. Mother loved to sing and whenever she got the
chance, she would sing her favorite song "On Time God." She was also a member of the
White Rose Chapter and Order of the Eastern Star.
Retiring at the age of fifty-six and being surrounded by her siblings in the countryside, gave
her joy. She enjoyed always being on the go, traveling, watching her soap operas, spending
time with family and friends, and sitting on the porch in the rocking chair with her dog.
Mother was a mother to everyone: her children, siblings, and anyone else that needed her.
She was a selfless woman of God and was compassionate about helping others. Her love
was felt by everyone and was often reciprocated with kind gestures of gifts left upon her
doorstep. She was a woman of strength who never complained and whenever you saw her,
she always had a smile on her face. Mother was so personable that she found it quite easy
to talk to anyone, even strangers on the street.

Mother loved to cook and bake and for the past twenty years, she would host an annual
Thanksgiving Feast for her family. Mother would put her heart and soul into this family
celebration. This was a time of family celebrating family and enjoying all the food, cakes,
pies, and cookies that were all prepared by Mother. She would cook enough food for a small
army. Her love of cooking also afforded her opportunities to share her treats with others
from all over South Carolina. She would often prepare baked goods for her church family
and the truck drivers that traveled through the state.

She was preceded in death by her husband, the late Clarence Corley, a son, William Corley,
two daughters, Claretha Craig and Valdeitha Corley, and eight brothers: Robert Lee, Hosea,
Foster, Paul, Silas, James, Jerry, and Ernest.

Mother was called home by God on Wednesday, September 14, 2022, at the age of eighty-eight. She lived a long, blessed life and her life, love and laughter will be cherished for generations to follow by: her daughter, Darnette Robinson; nine grandchildren, Rodney
Corley, Sr. (Yalanda), Ericka Robinson, Rasheem Robinson (Riccole), Baraka Corley, Tamika
Corley Talley (William), Willette Corley, Jimicka Perez (Chris), and Kashia Corley; thirty-two
great-grandchildren; thirteen great great-grandchildren; two sisters: Jessie Steele and Dorothy
Canty (Marvin); her best friend, Romelle Ingram, and a host of dedicated nieces, nephews,
cousins, and other family members and friends.