Leta Joyce Conner

Notes:

Shown as Lela Joyce on the Texas Birth index transcription of her birth, but as Leta Joyce on the listings of each of her three sons, and in the obituary of her sister, Clarice Conner Clark.

Mrs. Leta Joyce Corley was born on February 5, 1934. The youngest of 4 girls. She graduated from Hemphill ISD and went on to graduate from Stephen F. Austin University with a teaching degree. She married Lee Herbert Corley on February 15, 1954. Lee and Leta went on to have 3 boys, Ed, James, and David. On top of having 3 boys, they managed to open a service station and Leta taught school. With lots of love and determination they raised their children and owned a successful business.

When she wasn't teaching she could be found at many functions involving her children or grandchildren. Her pride in her family was always apparent in anything she did. She was always known for her smile and her ear piercing whistle. That whistle would have children standing at attention from 1/2 mile away. She used it at school and at home. If you didn't listen when she whistled you would be in trouble.

After teaching for over 30 years, Leta retired in 1996. She spent most of her teaching career in 1st grade. She loved all her little students. She probably taught 80% of the children in Hemphill.
She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Her family was her world and pride to most people she was Leta Joyce or Mrs. Corley. To her family she was momma or nanny, but to Lee she was "Yes Dear". She would give advice or just hold our hands. She is the glue that holds our family together. She loved to pick and joke with her boys. She always said that if her boys weren't picking at her she knew something was wrong.

There will be a visitation of friends and family Tuesday from 5 until 8 pm at Starr Funeral Home and her funeral service will be at 10:00 am Wednesday at Starr Funeral Home Chapel in Hemphill with burial to follow in Hemphill Cemetery.

She is survived by; her husband of 65 years Lee Herbert Corley of Hemphill; sons, Edward Corley and wife Susan of Hemphill, James Corley and wife Stephanie of Hemphill, David Corley and wife Patricia of Nacogdoches; grandchildren, Cara Westbrook and husband Andrew of Hemphill, Eric Corley of Hemphill, and Ashley Roberts and husband Christopher of Alabama; great grandson, Alexander Freeman of Hemphill; sister, Vernell Thomas of Palestine; nieces, Lauren Karch and husband Robert of Palestine, Anice Carter and husband Terry of Van, and Alice Smith of Lufkin. She is preceded in death by; her parents Lorena Louisa Edgar Conner and Starling Wesley Conner; grandson Brandon Corley; and sisters Rosalee Smith and Clarice Clark; and niece Louisa Ryan.

Register book may be signed and condolences may be left at www.starrfuneralhome.com

Also published in the Sabine County Reporter, November 21, 2018, Page 9

Leta married Lee Herbert Corley before 1956. Lee (son of Charles "Charlie" Clarence Corley, Sr. and Willie Mae Burk) was born on 28 Nov 1927 in San Augustine County, Texas; died on 6 Jan 2020 in Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas; was buried in Hemphill City Cemetery, Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Eric Wesley Corley, 35, left his earthly home and fell into the arms of his Loving Savior on Saturday, April 3, 2021.

He was born Feb. 24, 1986, in Beaumont. He graduated from Hemphill High School in 2004, where he was a member of the Little Green Band that placed third in state his senior year - a fact he never let you forget - that his band was the best. After graduation he moved to Galveston where he worked at Moody Gardens and attended Galveston Community College. Living there about eight years, he yearned to be back in his beloved Sabine County, and found his way home.

He was a member of New Hope Baptist Church and the Hemphill Lions Club.

A young man who never met a stranger, he would give the shirt off his back to help someone. This is evidenced by the many friends he leaves behind. Approximately a year ago, Eric met his soul mate and best friend, Sarah. They were married March 13, 2021.

He is survived by his wife, Sarah Moore Corley of Hemphill; three bonus children, Nayeli, Gloria and Anthony Guillen, all of Hemphill; his parents, James and Stephanie Corley of Hemphill; a sister and brother-in-law, Ashley and Christopher Roberts of Madison, AL; grandmother, Louise Adkison of Hemphill; aunt, Stacie Kean of Hemphill; uncles, Stephen Adkison and his wife, Cindy, of Willis; Ed Corley and Susan King and David Corley, all of Hemphill; cousins, Cara Westbrook of Hemphill, Alicia Bohannon of Zachary, LA, Kristin Adkison of Spring and Garrett Adkison of San Marcos; and his bestfriend since childhood, Jon Andrews; along with numerous other friends and family.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, James Adkison and Lee and Leta Corley; an uncle, Ed Kean; and a cousin, Brandon Corley.

Visitation will be Thursday, April 8, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Starr Funeral Home, 510 Starr St. in Hemphill.

Funeral services will be held Friday, April 9, at 11:00 a.m. in the Starr Funeral Home Chapel, 510 Starr Street, Hemphill, Texas with Bro. John Strader and Bro. George Ross officiating.

Burial will follow in Hemphill Cemetery with Jon Andrews, Alex McSwain, Benjamin Moore, Stephen Adkison, Ed Corley and David Corley serving as pallbearers.

Condolences and guest book signing can be made online at starrfuneralhome.com.

Downloaded from Starr Funeral Home
Also published in The Sabine County Reporter, April 7, 2021, page 4