Sarah Frances Corley

July 13, 1931 - June 26, 2017

Sarah Frances Corley left this earthly life for her heavenly home Monday morning, June 26, 2017, at her home in Columbia. She was the firstborn of nine children to the late Johnny Tillman and Sarah Reese Tillman on July 13, 1931, and was raised in the Frogtown Community of Columbia. Sarah was a graduate of Booker T. Washington High School in the Class of 1949. She met the love of her life, Charles Corley, and they married July 22, 1949; to this loving union, 4 children were born. Sarah sang with the Soul Searchers Southern Gospel Singers on WIS Radio. She was raised in the Shiloh Baptist Church in the Frogtown Community and sang on the choir. After her marriage, Sarah joined Reid Chapel AME Church where she served faithfully as a Steward, member of the Senior Choir, and as bookkeeper for VV Reid Elementary School. Sarah was also a founding member of the Greenview Neighborhood Women’s Club. Sarah, affectionately known as Aunt Frank, was an awesome cook, renowned for her specialties: BBQ hash, pound cakes, dressing and pies. All of her food was amazing. She enjoyed Vacation Bible School, taught Sunday School and Bible Study, as well as other church social activities. In addition to her parents, her son, Michael W. Corley, and her siblings, Douglas and Richard Tillman, preceded her in death. Sarah leaves her precious memories to her beloved husband of 67 years, Charles; four children: Charles S. (Margaret) Corley, Jr., Carol (Errol) Boler, Jeffery L. Corley, and James (Portia) Corley; eight grandchildren: Nikki, Jimmy, Blair, Scotty (Karlyn) , Shea, Sean, and Clinton; eight great-grandchildren: Skylar, Nia, Nylah, Rhea, Denise, Clinton Jr., Zack, and Jason; six siblings: Jo (Doug) Boyd, Deloris (Carl) Caballero, Thomas (Clatie) Tillman, Dwight Tillman, Benjamin Tillman, and Gary Tillman; a daughters-in-law, Lori Corley and Delores Corley; in-laws: Willy Mae Corley, Teresa and Horace Corley; goddaughter Kellie Rembert; caregivers: Eartha Simmons and Deborah Seals; Lutheran Hospice nurses: Melinda and Chaka; and a host of other relatives and friends who will miss her dearly.