Merlene Corley

Merlene Martha Tevis Corley was born February 5, 1943, in Beaumont, Texas, to parents Floyd and Gladys (Parks) Tevis.

A Native Texan, Merlene was born in Beaumont, Texas, the city her family founded. She spent her young life growing up in Beaumont as the youngest of seven girls, a 20-year age gap from the oldest to the youngest.

Merlene attended St. Anthony’s Catholic School from first grade until she graduated in 1961. After graduation, she went on to secretarial school and started working for General Electric Credit Corporation. There she met Rex Corley, the man who would be her soulmate for the next 60 years.

They married on September 7, 1963, celebrating their 58th wedding anniversary a few days before Dad's passing on September 11, 2021.

Merlene was a homemaker, taking care of Kyle, Kim, and Kari; they moved all over Texas, then on to Connecticut and Louisiana before finally making it back to Texas.

As empty nesters and retirees, Merlene and Rex took what they called their most favorite trip of all; A trip to the Holy Land in Israel where he and mom were baptized together in the river Jordan. It was life changing for them both. Together they have spent the last 24 years pouring Jesus into the hearts of those around them; their kids, grandkids, friends, church members, and strangers.

When Merlene’s great grandson Ian found out she had passed away, he exclaimed, “Yay! She’s in heaven! And Pawpaw is waiting at the gates!” This exemplifies the message she strove to share her entire life, her unending faith in Christ and her devotion to her loved ones.

Merlene is survived by her loving children Kyle Corley and his wife Lisa, Kim Sunlin and her husband Dave, Kari Garrick, and her husband Chris; grandchildren Abby, Maddie and Dylan Corley, Linsey Atchison, Jake, Breck and Finn Sunlin, Rex, Rhys, Rush and Corley Garrick; great-grandchild Ian Corley.

There will be a memorial service to celebrate Merlene’s life Saturday, November 12, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at Allen Family Funeral Options. If you wish to join the memorial service via webcast, please visit: Merlene Tevis Corley (funeralvue.com)

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions be made in Merlene's name to Samaritan's Purse, Operation Christmas Child. https://samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child