Evelyn Marie Corley

She was born on September 4th, 1929 in Henderson Texas to O.T. and Gladys Mathis Allen. Evelyn was raised in Henderson and attended New London Elementary School. She was a survivor of the New London School Explosion which occurred on March 18, 1937. Evelyn graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Dallas, and later attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth.

Evelyn was taught from the very beginning of life of the love Jesus has for the world and for her, and she asked Him to be her Savior and Lord at the age of 12. During pre-teen camp, she made the decision to follow the Lord’s leading wherever that would lead her.

Evelyn married William Clinton Cooper in 1949, and had 1 son, Bruce Cooper. Clinton died tragically in 1952, but this event was the beginning of a lifelong trust Evelyn had in God and His perfect plan for her life. She met Marion Lee Corley, who was her choir director, and their friendship grew into a love for the Lord and each other. Marion received Bruce as his own son and loved him unconditionally from the beginning. Soon they were blessed with a daughter, Carol Denise.

Evelyn embraced the role of wife, mother and minister’s wife as she and Marion moved to Alabama for Marion’s first pastorate. There, they were blessed with another son, Lee Allen. The Lord worked mightily through His humble servants.

In 1962 Marion and Evelyn felt the Lord leading them to the foreign mission field, and they went to Bucaramanga, Colombia where they served for 23 years. While they were there two more children came along to round out the crew, Alton Bryan and Angela Diane.

During their time in Colombia as church planters, Evelyn surrendered her entire being to loving on the beautiful Colombian people and worked alongside Marion as they planted 4 churches and numerous mission points during their time there.

They returned to Dallas Texas for Marion’s retirement, where Evelyn attended Eastfield College and received her certificate in Child Development in 1986. Soon after that she became the Preschool Minister at Lakeside Baptist Church until her retirement in 1995. She tirelessly poured the love of Jesus into little hearts and helped parents as they raised their children to grow in Christ.

Upon retirement, Evelyn’s life continued to be dedicated to family and different areas of service for the Lord through neighborhood community, Women on Mission, mission trips, ladies’ Sunday School ministry, SILK, (Sewing in Love for the Kingdom), even crocheting hats until the last few months of her life, witnessing to neighbors, caregivers and anyone that the Lord brought her way. She also graded tests from Spanish speaking prisoners who were enrolled in a discipleship program. She poured her heart into looking up the correct answers, explaining the “why’s” to her corrections, and she answered additional questions they had about their faith. Evelyn cared deeply about her community as a volunteer at Bayles Elementary Community Group. She dedicated her life to sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.

It didn’t matter what need was in front of her, she saw every opportunity as another chance to share the love of Jesus with others. Evelyn was known best for wanting desperately to tell everyone she came into contact with about her Lord and Savior, even in her last days. It was so natural for her to weave the Lord’s love and grace into normal conversations with those around her. She will also be remembered by the fact that God’s Word was her solid foundation. She delighted in reading His Word, and had Scripture written and posted all over her home.

Evelyn is preceded in death by her parents, O.T. and Glady Allen, her husbands William Clinton Cooper and Marion Lee Corley, her brother and sister-in-law, Farrell and Dale Allen.

Evelyn is survived by her children Bruce and Pat Cooper of Alabaster, Alabama; Denise and Keith Terry of Garland, Texas; Lee Allen and Mary Dayle Corley of Buda, Texas; Bryan and Christine Corley of Forney, Texas, and Angela and Tom Webster of Nacogdoches, Texas. Her legacy also includes 11 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great granddaughter. She also has many nieces and nephews to cherish her memory.

Every one of us in the family has a deeply rooted love for Christ because of the daily example Evelyn and Marion set for their family and loved ones.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a charity of your choice.

Visitation will be held at First Baptist Church, 801 W Avenue D, Garland, TX 75040, on July 11, 2026, from 10:00 am to 10:30 am, followed by a Funeral Service at the same location from 10:30 am to 11:30 am.

Interment will take place at Grove Hill Memorial Park, 3920 Samuell Blvd, Dallas, TX 75228, on July 11, 2026, from 2:30 pm to 3:00 pm.