Ruby Corley

Ruby Corley was welcomed to her Heavenly Home Thursday January 15, 2026, beautiful, peacefully, and with grace just like she lived her life. She loved our Lord with all her heart. We can only imagine what a homecoming celebration was waiting for her. Ruby was born to Lee and Elsie Williams as their 9th child and fifth girl. She was born August 13, 1929, in Wise Community in Van Zandt County.

She Loved Music and at the age of 3 her dad, Lee Williams put her in the back of his truck to sing and draw a crowd to hear him speak. Ruby had a beautiful alto voice and used it to praise the Lord all her life. she sang in duets, trios, quartets, choirs, and youth choirs. She graduated from Martins Mill High School. Her favorite subjects were English and reading. She later attended Jacksonville Baptist College and Texas Tech.

On January 2, 1948, she married William A. Corley in a double ceremony with her best friend Nadine Taylor and Williams' brother F.A Corley. They moved to Dallas where she worked at Republic National Bank. It was the first time she had been out of Van Zandt County. She later was the city secretary of Blooming Grove. She retired from Henderson County Tax Office.

Their first daughter Deborah was born January 2, 1951, and that same year on September 30, 1951, W.A. surrendered to the ministry. Their second daughter was born on a Sunday morning in 1957. Yes, he made it on time to preach. Ruby was the perfect minister's wife and cherished serving beside him. They served many churches and she taught Sunday School in all of them. Throughout her life when you came into her home her bible was open where she was reading. She loved Gods word, her and W.A both shared that love and poetry. She loved to find poems he used in his sermons. She was the state WMA President. Ruby loved to serve others and give in any way she could, that made her the happiest. She loved to encourage, give gifts and baking cakes that Brody named Nama cakes as gifts. The song Others was her motto! Ruby was a wonderful and loving mother.

She loved to have fun especially playing practical jokes. Being with friends and family were some of her favorite times. She loved her family immensely; she would call and remind them about each one of the two yearly reunions because she loved seeing them. The two reunions are done and the daughters of the 12 get together twice a year too, family is close and cherished. Her grandkids and great grandkids were the apple of her eye.

Ruby enjoyed many hobbies; oil painting, ceramics, needlework, and sewing but finishing was her favorite. She always had an open invitation from church members to fish in their fish tanks. We will miss her loving, giving, and sense of humor. Her love of Gods word and dedication to him inspires us all.

Ruby is preceded in death by her husband of 58 years W.A. Corley, parents Lee and Elsie Williams, her brothers and sisters and their spouses: Chester and Alice Williams, Iva Lee and Bennie Henderson, Henery Williams, Carl and Izsora Williams, Tillman Williams, Alma and Adriam Chamblee, Jane and Dean Phillips, Mary and A.C. Corley, Osborne and Beth Williams, J.P. Williams. Her brother and sister in-laws: Avon and Nadine Corley, Bob Corley, Peggy and John Gurley, Hazel and James Montgomery, and JoAnn Hutchison.

She is survived by sister Gladys Godwin and husband Don, Brother-in-law Donnie Hutchison, sister-in- law Sue Griffin. Daughters Debbie Wright and husband James, Greta Jordan and husband Clitis. Grandchildren; Jason Frazier, Julie Jordan, Abby Sullivan and Husband Chad, Josh Putman and wife Brittany, Justin Wright and wife Dana, BC Putman, Tiffany. Great Grandchildren Madison, Ruby - namesake, Brody, Karter, Joss, Parker, and Kodi.