Homegoing Services for Deacon Theodore (Ted) Corley 1904-1979

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FOR
DEACON THEODORE (TED) CORLEY
1904 - 1979
Thursday, November 1,1979 2:00 P. M.
The United House Of Prayer For All People
1269 Wrightsboro Road
Augusta, Georgia
The Rev. Robert W. Turner, Jr. Officiating
Elder W. E. Rouse, Pastor
** THE LIFE OF THEODORE CORLEY **
The greatest man is he who chooses the right with invincible
resolution; who resists the sorest temptations from within and
without; who bears the heaviest burdens cheerfully; who is
calmest in storms, and most fearless under menace and frowns;
and whose reliance on truth, on virtue, and on God, is most
unfaltering.
Theodore Corley, exemplary of greatness, was a friend to all
he met. Inasmuch as friendship is, strictly speaking, reciprocal
benevolence, which inclines each party to be solicitous for the
welfare of the other as for his own. This equality of affection is
created and preserved by a similarity of disposition and manners.
He was possessed with a deep and reverent concern for
humankind. For more than three decades, Ted Corley was
a servant to the many fine citizens of the Central Savannah River
Area. His greatness among people caused him to be named the
1974 Mortician of The Year in his District.
Bom to the late Mr. and Mrs. Nathaniel Corley, in the early
nineteen hundreds, Ted struggled through the many perplexities
and trials any Afro-American encountered while endeavoring to
become self-sustaining and economically stable. He rose to
tremendous heights in the business community. Although he
shared much success, Ted Corley never overlooked any man,
nor did he lose the common touch!
He attributed much of his success to his daily need to walk
with God. He manifested this attitude in the love and dedication
he held for his church. Joining the original founders of The Good
Samaritan Baptist Church shortly after its establishment, Dea.
Corley worked in his church until the latter days of his noble
life. He served for many years as Board Chairman, and was able
in the latter days of his sojourn to watch his church grow to
higher dimensions and greater achievements.
He has left to treasure his loving memory, a wife of
dedication, devotion, love, and compassion, Mrs. Mildred J. Corley;
two devoted daughters, Mrs. Louise Wright, Hempstead, New
York, and Ms. Christine Harrison, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; one
appreciative son, Mr. Anton Corley, Columbia, South Carolina; a
mother-in-law, Mrs. Bertha C. Jones, Augusta; one son-in-law,
Mr. Daniel Wright, Hempstead, New York; two sisters, Mrs.
Floia Miles and Mrs. Evelyn Copeland, both of Aiken, South
Carolina; two brothers, Mr. Leroy Corley, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
and Mr. Heyward Corley, Washington, D. C., eight grandchildren,
three great grandchildren, three brothers-in-law, five sisters-in-law,
several nieces and nephews, and a massive host of relatives
and friends.
Dea. Corleys affiliations included the Eighth District of
Georgia Funeral Directors; The Georgia Funeral Service Practi-
tioners Association, Inc.; The National Funeral Directors and
Morticians Association.
** THE ORDER OF SERVICE **
THE PRESIDER..........................Elder w- E- Rouse
Pastor, The United House Of Prayer
THE PROCESSIONAL...................... Selected Melodies
Miss M. D. Powell, Pianist
THE HYMN.........................The Good Samaritan Choir
...Life Him Up!
THE READING FROM
THE WORD...............Rev. Jimmie E. Freeman, Pastor,
The St. John Baptist Church
THE INVOCATION...............Rev. J. D. Williams, Pastor,
Spirit Creek, Ebeneezer, Thomas Grove
and Franklin Covenant Baptist Churches
THE SOLO
Sister Ruth Eady
THE GREETINGS.....................Rev. G. L. Brightharp, Pastor,
Mt. Caanan and Mt. Morenci
Baptist Churches;
Mr. W. H. Mays, III, Chairman,
The Eighth District of The Georgia Funeral
Service Practitioners Association;
Mays Funeral Home
THE SOLO OF TRIBUTE.............Rev. Floyd Heard, Pastor,
Something Within The Harmony Baptist Church
THE GREETINGS
..........Dea. Charlie Griffin, Sr.,
Board Chairman,
The Good Samaritan Baptist Church
THE REMARKS...........Mr. William Baxter, Bethel A.M.E.,
Methodist Church and
The Civil Service Commission
THE RESOLUTION....................Mrs. Dorothy Reid,
The Good Samaritan Baptist Church
THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS...........Ms. Jacqueline Curry,
The Staff of Peoples Funeral Home
THE LIFE OF DEA. THEODORE CORLEY
IN RETROSPECT.........................The Obituary
(Silent Reflection)
THE EULOGY..............Rev. Robert W. Turner, Jr., Pastor,
The Good Samaritan Baptist Church
Educator The Atlanta City Schools
THE RECESSIONAL.............................Alleluia
THE INTERMENT...........The Mount Olive Memorial Gardens
THE PARTING HOUR
Theres something in the parting hour
Will chill the warmest heart -
Yet kindred, comrades, lovers, friends,
Are fated all to part;
But this Ive seen and a many pang
Has pressed it on my mind -
The one who goes is happier
Than the ones he leaves behind.
No matter what the journey be -
Adventurous, dangerous, far
To the wild deep, or black frontier,
To solitude, or war -
Still something cheers the heart that dares,
In all of human kind;
And they who go are happier
Than those they leave behind.
The bride goes to the bridegrooms home
With doubting and with tears,
But does not Hope her rainbow spread
Across the cloudy fears?
Alas! the mother who remains,
What comfort can she find
But this the gone is happier
Than the one she leaves behind.
God wills it so, and so it is;
The pilgrims on their way,
Though weak and worn, more cheerful are
Than all the rest who stay.
And when, at last, poor man, subdued,
Lies down to death resigned,
May he not still be happier far
Than those he leaves behind!
Edward Pollock
IVE DONE
MY WORK
Ive done my work
I sung my song
Ive done some good
Ive done some wrong
I shall go where I belong
The Lord has willed it so.
He knows my heart, and every thought
He knows what pain and joy Ive brought
And by his love I shall be taught
The way to him, I know
He guides my steps and he knows best,
He will not harm, where he is blest
And so goodnight, Ill take my rest,
Where sweet wild roses grow.

THE EXPRESSION
It is seldom stated in common language how dear
our friends can be. The family of Ted Corley expresses
profound and sincere appreciation to all friends and
and well-wishers who have shared various deeds of
service during the illness and homegoing of our beloved
Theodore. It is the wish of each of us that you, too,
will long treasure the sacred memories we shall hold
dear eternally.
Gratefully yours,
The Family of Dea. T. Corley
** THE PALLBEARERS **
The Morticians of The Eighth District of The Georgia
Funeral Service Practitioners Association
Roy Roberts Eddie Pettis
Willie Mays, III Lloyd Thomas
Bennie Williams Charlie Reid, Jr.
Exerzene Dotson
** THE HONORARY PALLBEARERS **
The Officers of The Good Samaritan Baptist Church
The Ministers of the Augusta Community - at,- large
The Morticians of Georgia and
Members of the National Association
** THE BEARERS OF THE FLOWERS **
The Missionary Society of Elam Baptist Church
The Missionary Society of Good Samaritan Baptist Church
The Ushers Union of Georgia The Augusta Local Division
** THE USHERS **
The Ushers Union of Georgia
** THE ANNOUNCEMENT **
Immediately following the interment, the members
of the family and friends will share an hour of
Fellowship at the United House of Prayer.
PEOPLES FUNERAL HOME
Mortuary
Walton Way
Augusta, Georgia