In high school Cory studied piano and voice. Growing up around mountains and snow, she enjoyed ice skating and as a young woman she had a job she loved at the Broadmoor Hotel and Resort. Cory was a longtime member of First Baptist Church, Greenwood and spent more than 40 years teaching Sunday School, playing piano, and singing in the choir. In her last few years, she was a member of Shreve City Baptist Church. For many years she was a member of the Order of Eastern Star and was a Past Matron and Past District Deputy. Cory was a creative homemaker and stayed busy with Cub Scouts and church and school activities with her 4 children. She was an amateur radio operator with call sign K5UKK and a founding member of TYLRUN (Texas Young Ladies Round-Up Network). She loved being a Unit Manager for Tupperware for 12 years and met and made many friends through her very successful business. She was so caring and kind and was quick to help anyone who had a need. She spent several years as a volunteer at LSU Medical Center.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, John Needles, her parents Harry Leo and Theodora Patton, her brother Harry Patton, Jr. and her daughter-in-law, Loucretia Needles. She is survived by her sons Charles Needles (Madeleine), Kirby Needles (Donna), Chris Needles (Colleen) and her daughter, Susan Ainsworth (Darrell). She is also survived by grandsons Adam Needles (Christine), Jeffrey Needles (Sara), Mardon Needles, Marcus Needles, Alan Ainsworth (Taylor), Daniel Ainsworth (Katy), Fred Lynn and granddaughter Davina Sentak (Dave). She also leaves 13 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.
Cory was a blessing to family and friends and had a full, rich life. She had a quick wit and a kind, loving and generous spirit. She will be dearly missed.
The family would like to say a special thank you to Roberta Stewart (and Jerry) who took such amazing care of Mom in her last years. Roberta was so good to her and treated her like family. Mom loved her very much. We could never have cared for our mother so well without her help.
A celebration of life for Coralee will be held Saturday, May 6, 2023 at 10:30 AM at First Baptist Church of Greenwood, 7042 Howell St, Greenwood, LA.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to Shriners Children’s or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
