Clara J. Corley

Funeral services celebrating her life will be held on Monday, November 16, 2020 at 10:00 AM at North Park Assembly of God 1918 Jameson St, Abilene, TX 79603 with Pastor John Shepard officiating. Burial will follow in Elmwood Memorial Park under the direction of Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home 5701 277 S. in Abilene. The family will receive guest for a visitation on Sunday, November 15 from 1-3:00 PM at the funeral home.

Clara was born in Silverton, Texas to the late Claude M. and Otha L. (Cavitt) Stephens. She was raised with her seven siblings in several towns in Texas and the family spent a few years in Richmond, California before returning back to Texas. She graduated from Stamford High School in May of 1947. She married Floyd Clifton Herpeche on June 22, 1950, they made Abilene their home in 1956. Following the passing of her husband she married Curtis Dean Corley on February 16, 1975 and enjoyed many wonderful years together until his passing.

Clara was a natural born leader and possessed a very strong business acumen. She began her career working with Greyhound Food Management and worked her way up to Management and finally became an owner when the company begin leasing out. While working with Greyhound she received numerous awards and honors for her excellence in management. Following the death of her husband she and her daughter started a new business venture at the Mall of Abilene, "The Corndog Place". Where she was affectionately known by mall employees as the, “Corndog lady”. Clara will be remembered by her family for her love, strong will and her, "My way or the highway" approach to life. While she enjoyed and flourished in the business world she never lost her common touch. Her ability to be able to see the needs of others especially those who might be having a hard time and step in and help them along the way. In her own unassuming way, she made a difference in the lives of many. When she was eight years old she was sick and taken to the hospital in Stamford where her parents were told by the Doctor she had passed. As her parents walked away after getting this horrible news Clara begin breathing, and the world is a better place and many people’s lives have been changed because Gods hand was upon her that day and has remained upon her through life. She enjoyed attending North Park Assembly of God with her family.

She was preceded in death by her husbands; siblings, Claude D. Stephens, Curtis W. Stephens, Marie Williams, Lucille Davis, Mildred Tidwell, and Maxine Six.

She is survived by her daughters, Sherry Stansbury and her husband Darrell, and Rhonda Bielefeldt and her husband Mike; 6 loving grandchildren, Kimberly Stansbury, Michael Stansbury, Carl Wyatt, Melinda Schirk, Amanda Wadley and Timothy Wyatt; numerous great-grandchildren; brother Clyde R. Stephens; a host of loving nieces and nephews; and her personal caregiver, Maria Acuna.