Marie Gaines Corley

She will be buried at Forest Crest Cemetery with a graveside service on Thursday, February 23, 2017, at 2:00. Reverend Emily Freeman Penfield, senior pastor, Woodlawn United Methodist Church will officiate.

Born Edith Marie Gaines in her grandmother’s home in Westmoreland, Tennessee, on January 21, 1926, she returned with her parents to Decatur, Alabama, where she graduated from Decatur High School in 1944. Two weeks later she married Robert A. Corley. Following his service in the Pacific Theater during World War II, the couple moved to Birmingham, where they remained for the rest of their lives.

She was predeceased by her husband in 1993. She is survived by her three sons, Robert G. Corley (Cathy), Charles Donald Corley, and Thomas P. Corley (Valorie). Also surviving are her grandchildren, Sean Corley, Rachel Corley, Rev. Kevin Corley (Rebecca), Cary Corley (Lindsey), Kyle Corley (Halley), Ashley Garris (Bill), and Tyler Fritsche (Sara). She was also blessed with eight great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to Woodlawn United Methodist Church, 139 54th Street N., 35212, where Marie was a devoted member of the choir for nearly 50 years.

The family thanks the dedicated and caring staffs at Mount Royal Towers, New Beacon Hospice and South Health and Rehabilitation. Special appreciation is also offered to loving caregiver, Mary Mack, and to livelong friend, Martha “Butch” Webster, Flowery Branch, Georgia.