Corry M Hutchens

Throughout his career he was a bivocational minister, pastoring many small, rural Alabama churches including Corona Baptist Church in Walker County, both Steep Creek and Letohatchee Baptist churches in Lowndes County and Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in Colbert County. Reflecting both his devotion and gift for human relations, he pastored each of these churches for more than ten years, always leaving on good accord, and in 1989 Samford University named him “Alabama Bivocational Minister of the Year.”

Love was the abiding theme of his life. He “loved to tell the story of Jesus and his love” and exemplified that theme throughout his decades of ministry, in both his preaching and devotion to pastoral care.

An optimistic, positive person, he greatly enjoyed talking—to family members, church members, colleagues, clerks at stores, healthcare workers, really anyone he encountered.

A devoted family man, Corry and Virginia raised four children, all surviving their father: Linda Taylor (Gary) of Birmingham, Ruth Price (Jimmy) of Florence, Walter Hutchens (Maggie) of Redlands, California and David Hutchens (Latricia) of Pikeville, Kentucky.

Corry is also survived by nine grandchildren: Carrie Stepp (Ron), Daynelle Harbison (Mike), Eric Taylor, Corry David Hutchens, Forrest Hutchens, Parker Hutchens, Helen Hutchens, Henry Corry Hutchens and Spencer Hutchens, and two great-grandchildren: Caleb and Olivia Harbison.

Corry was born 90 years ago, on September 11, 1925 in Oakman, Alabama, one of 12 children of Luther and Reydonia Hutchens. Corry is survived by his brother James Hutchens (Wilma), Eugene Hutchens, A.C. Hutchens (Shirley), Wallace Hutchens (Brenda) and sisters Emily Taylor (Bob), Ann Norsworthy and Betty Carraway. He was preceded in death by his sister Gail Sanders (Noel), Lillian Pope and two siblings who died in childhood.

Corry volunteered for military service in World War II, leaving high school early to enlist. He was stationed in Tinian and Guam and serviced B-17 and B-29 aircraft. He remained in the Air Force for six years, a Chaplain’s Assistant for some of that time. Throughout life he made it clear he wanted an American flag to drape his casket.

A graduate of Howard College (now Samford University), he served Alabama public schools as a teacher, counsellor and later Alabama State Department of Education official. He first taught English and later specialized in guidance and counseling and special education. He completed a master's degree in Counseling and Guidance at the University of Alabama.

He was blessed with relatively good health into his mid 80’s, maintaining a vegetable garden and enjoying the retirement that he only reluctantly acceded to in his 70’s.

Corry leaves behind a grieving but grateful family, who are encouraged and challenged by his example—a life filled with, and consecrated to sharing, love.

The funeral will be at Southern Heritage Funeral Home in Pelham, Alabama on Tuesday, March 15 at 3 p.m., with viewing and visitation beginning at 2:00. Dr. Dale Huff will be the officiant.