MSgt Lawrence Corley

LAWRENCE CORLEY, 93, departed this life on Monday, September 5, 2022, after an extended illness. Lawrence, the youngest of seven children was born November 16, 1928 in Lexington, South Carolina to the late John Wesley Corley and Martha Allen Corley. Lawrence was a member of Turner Memorial A.M.E. Church, where he participated in many church functions, and served on a number of auxiliaries which included: the Finance Committee, Trustee Board, Sunday school and a Class Leader. The church also honored him by naming him “Man of the Year.” He graduated from Lake View High School in West Columbia in 1947, where he was a standout football player. He continued his education at Allen University before joining the United States Air Force. He married his high school sweetheart Iline Washington and to this loving union of sixty one years, four children were born. In 1969, Lawrence retired as a Master Sergeant from the Air Force finishing his career as a Flight Engineer on the C-130 Hercules Aircraft. During his time in service, he was assigned to several stateside bases, including Pope Air Force Base in North Carolina and Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina. He also had a number of overseas tours of duty to the Azores, Alaska, France, Republic of Congo,Spain and multiple temporary duty tours to South Vietnam. Post retirement Lawrence became an entrepreneur by owning and operating a well-known local business on Harden Street for over 15 years. It was affectionately known as “The little store with the BIG heart.” Many activities brought Lawrence peace and joy including card tournaments, stamp collecting, tinkering on cars, and photography. He was a huge community advocate involved in organizations such as Save Our Community Club which donated annual food baskets for Holidays and children’s toys at Christmas. Lawrence also organized and served as President of the Highland Park Community Club establishing an annual corporate-sponsored community picnic. Lawrence was preceded in death by both parents, his six siblings, a son-in-law Frank Merchant and daughter-in-law, Elyn Rosick and his beloved bride Iline W. Corley. Those left to cherish precious memories are his four children: Sandra L. Corley Merchant, Lawrence A. "Larry" (Anna) Corley, Jr., Velma D. Corley, Anthony F. "Tony" Corley; seven grandchildren: DeAndra Green ( James) Parker, Lawrence A. “Trey" (Casey) Corley, III, Erin Corley, Christopher "Chris" Corley, Brittany Merchant (Cory) Bazemore, DaVaris Hatten and Aileen Corley; two great-granddaughters, DeNia Green and Corinne Bazemore; and one great-grandson Avery Bazemore, one nephew Kelvin Ivery and a host of other relatives and dear friends.

MSgt Lawrence Corley

November 16, 1928 - September 5, 2022