Ernest Cory

Ernest Cory joined his Savior in Heaven on May 16, 2025. The foundations of Ernie's amazing life are his family, his unrelenting faith in God, his passion for the law and being a lawyer, and his humble beginnings. Ernie was born October 19, 1955, in Birmingham. Alabama. His parents were Palestinian immigrants; he was the second oldest of six children and the only son. Everyone worked, and when his dad succumbed, Ernie worked harder. While he was still in college he established Ernie's Deli at multiple locations and operated them until he graduated from law school and it was no longer feasible to juggle the deli with a young family and new job as a lawyer. As the son of poor immigrants, he saw how vulnerable and how easily victimized they were. From this grew Ernie's determination to succeed, to champion the underdog, and to take the risks of failure rather than do nothing at all. It is the wellspring for his compassion for people who cannot help themselves and worry that no one cares.

Ernie graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in finance. He was a brother in the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity. He attended Cumberland School of Law at Samford University. His first job was working with David Cromwell Johnson, a criminal defense attorney. However, Ernie's interest was in obtaining civil compensation for the firm's injured clients, and as a new lawyer, he created and built the firm's plaintiff practice. In 1995, he left David Johnson and opened Cory Watson Attorneys. Today Cory Watson is recognized nationally as a leader in mass torts and class actions. He pushed the firm to the forefront of litigation, technology, and case development. He loved being a lawyer and the challenge of winning for the underdog. Ernie believed there is no secret sauce for success as a plaintiff attorney, but that success is obtained because you are committed to honest hard work with integrity and care. Helping others brought him real joy. It has been said that there is no higher accolade than for your child to follow your footsteps; Ernie has a daughter and son who practice law with him.

As an adult Ernie came to know and accept his Savior into his life. He is a member of Church of the Highlands. His diagnoses presented unprecedented challenges that he was able to face because of his faith and the love and faith of his friends, family and church. God blessed Ernie Cory with success in his career and the ability to fight injustices, prejudices, and hurtful people, and Ernie never forgot that. As the Lord blessed him, he was a blessing to many others that he fought and cared for, and those people have gathered around him and his family during this final passage so they never make the journey alone. What is given is received.

Family. At the end of the day, there was nothing he wanted more than to go home, gather his family, cook for them, and enjoy their companionship. He gifted people large spreads of food and gallons of the best tomatoes out of his backyard garden that required them to gather their own families, thus sharing the sheer happiness and joy of family dinners. He was "DC" for "Daddy Cory" to everyone named Cory, and anyone crossing the threshold of his home. He built a house that became the place to gather for every occasion and sometimes, just to sit together and enjoy a sunset and glass of wine. Ernie Cory was a good man. He stayed true North through all his successes. He was wise, loving and generous. He loved Alabama football to a fault. He protected his family and friends even when they were not looking. He loved humanity; you could not do the work he did unless you could take all comers without judgment.

Vivian, whom he loved so deeply, was his anchor. She brought her children to him and for that, he loved her even more. He always said he learned so much from her and was so grateful for how she filled his life with joy, love, peace, and happiness. Ernie is survived by Vivian, and by his children, EJ Cory (Beth), Bobby Cory (Shelby), Hannah Caldwell (Matthew), Katherine Rogers (Garrett), and James Ernest Cory (Maddox), and his mother, Sue Cory. He has six grandchildren: Calvin Cory, Violet Cory, Daley Cory, Wade Cory, Henry Caldwell, and Mary Vivian Rogers. He is also survived by his sisters and their families and hundreds of friends, co-workers, and the thousands of people that were helped in his career.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. at Church of the Highlands, 4700 Highlands Way, Irondale, Alabama 35210, Pastor Hamp Greene presiding, with visitation beginning at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions honoring the life of Ernest Cory may be made to Nick's Kids Foundation, 1130 University Blvd., Ste B9-201, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401, nickskidsfoundation.org/donate, or the Endowed Faculty Scholar in Transplant Surgery Excellence by contacting [email protected] or mailing UAB Gift Records, AB 1230, 1720 2nd Ave. S., Birmingham, AL 35294-0112. Contributions to this fund will support the transformational work of Dr. Bobby Cannon, Ernie's physician and friend.