Tommy Donald Corley of Carroll County, Miss. died Sept. 25, 2025, shortly before his 87th birthday at his home, surrounded by family. Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 28, at Greenwood Delta Funeral Home with Rev. Tommy Clark officiating. Interment was held in Evergreen Cemetery. Visitation was from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday prior to the service.
He was born Oct. 13, 1938, in Carroll County to Christine and Tommy Corley. At an early age he moved with the family to Phillipston, Miss. A lifelong Baptist, he was baptized in his youth at Phillipston Baptist Church. As an adult, he was an active member of New Hope Baptist Church, Coila, Miss.
He attended Morgan City High School where he played football, earning a football scholarship to Mississippi State University. Since he was needed on the family farm, he declined the scholarship offer. He remained a lifelong MSU supporter and proudly watched several of his children and grandchildren attend ‘his school’.
In 1955, he joined the US Army serving in Nuremberg, Germany. While there, he was a member of the US Army Boxing Team.
Dinner with Elvis Presley in Germany was his favorite Army story. Elvis, an Army Private, walked into the Non-Commissioned Officers Club and asked if any Mississippi boys wanted to eat dinner with him. Don did!
After the Army, Don returned to farming, growing mostly cotton and soybeans, on Silver Leaf Farms until his retirement.
In 1980, Don was elected to the Carroll County Board of Supervisors. Serving two elected terms, he became President of the Board of Supervisors and served on several committees of the Mississippi Board of Supervisors.
His hobbies were many and varied, ranging from owning and restoring vintage automobiles (especially 1955 Chevrolets) to cooking for large gatherings of family and friends.
An avid outdoorsman, Don was a dedicated fisherman, spending many hours at Mossy Lake and Pleasant Lake.
Until his recent illness, Don personally and meticulously maintained his expansive yard using his beloved John Deere zero-turn mower.
Above all else, Don was very proud of his family and loved nothing better than cooking for them on holidays and family events while retelling family stories.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Tommy and Christine Corley, and sister, Peggy Moses. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Annette DeLoach Corley, daughters, Donna Sessions (Tim) Ferriday, LA, Charlotte Cheatham (Byron) Auburn, AL, Christy Buddin (Jay) Charleston, SC, step daughter Valerie Lovell of Columbia, TN, sister Sara Corley Terry, Fairhope, AL, six grandchildren and four great children, Annie Ruth Millsaps, mother of his daughters and many friends and neighbors.
Pallbearers were Corley Moses, James Stevens, Keith Connor, Haley Easley, Michael Galey and Ethan Stringer. Honorary Pallbearers were Andy Johnson, William McBride, Billy Stubbs, Riley Poe and Wayne Poe.
We wish to thank Dr. Charles Nause and staff, and many healthcare workers who have taken care of him, especially North Sunflower Rehab in Ruleville, MS, Accent Healthcare, Ruby Short, Sherry Martin, Matthew Blackmon.
Memorials may be made to Delta Cross C/O North Greenwood Baptist Church 615 Grand Blvd, Greenwood, MS 38930: Phillipston Baptist Church 337 CR 364, Sidon, MS 38954: New Hope Church, 4634, CR 23, Coila, MS 38923.
Greenwood Delta Funeral Home (www.greenwooddeltafh.com) is in charge of arrangements.
