Leyla Corredor

Leyla Velez Corredor, lovingly known as “Tita” to her seven grandchildren and family, entered the gates of heaven to be with our Lord. She was surrounded by love and affection from her family in her final hours and peacefully went to sleep as the Lord’s angels gently embraced her and carried her to our Savior.

Leyla was born on July 28, 1937 in Tulua, Colombia, to Ernesto and Julia Elena Velez. She was raised with three siblings; Oswaldo, Adolfo, and Rosario. As a young woman she worked as a corporate executive assistant, where she was bestowed with honors for her excellence and decorum in her profession. Her love story began with accordion lessons as a young woman, when she fell in love with her accordion teacher, Daniel G. Corredor. Raised as a “lady”, even with chaperoned dates, she developed a deep devotion, respect and love for her one and only love, Daniel.

Although fond of her Colombian heritage, she immigrated with Daniel to Youngstown, Ohio in 1965, with one-year-old Frank and three-month-old Daniel, meager resources, and very little spoken English, all for the opportunity to provide more for their family.

Even with the many years of Daniel’s busy work schedule as a medical resident and later staff physician, Leyla single-handedly raised Frank, Daniel and their U.S.-born brother and sister, Alex and Ana Maria. Always dedicated to her family, Leyla worked tirelessly taking care of four small children in a foreign land and foreign culture, while also supporting and taking care of her husband.

In 1978, after living some time in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and then back in Youngstown, Ohio, Leyla and her family moved to Sugar Land, Texas, where they embarked on lasting friendships, new academic opportunities for their children, and a love for the area they called home in the Sugar Creek subdivision of Sugar Land. Leyla and Daniel established a close network of Colombian and Hispanic friends who would often gather to celebrate their friendship, partake in cultural cuisine and spirits, and sing and play musical instruments into the late-night hours.

Leyla was also graced with artistic ability and, over time, developed a passion for delicately ornate ceramic painting and for painting icons on metal backgrounds. Her meticulous artwork was proudly displayed in her “vitrina” at home, as well as her children’s homes.

Leyla will be especially remembered for her great love of God and family. Her protective nature and devotion to family were unwavering. She graciously raised her children with love and discipline. She was nurturing and caring, yet always demanding respect, humility, and loyalty from her children. Even in her remaining months, with barely enough strength to stand, she would often insist that she wanted to cook for her family or watch over her grandchildren if they were sick or we were out of town. Although she could not physically do these things, she would have made every effort if allowed to. That was the strength and dedication she had for her family.

Leyla is survived by her children, Frank (and Kim) Corredor, Daniel (and Viviana) Corredor, Ana Maria (and Alejandro) Autrique and Alex (and Michelle) Corredor; her grandchildren, Maddie and Lauren Corredor, Nicolas and Sofia Corredor, and Dominique, Leila and Leonardo Autrique; and by her brother, Oswaldo Velez.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Ernesto and Julia Elena Velez; her sister, Rosario Emo; and her brother, Adolfo Velez.

A funeral Mass in honor of Leyla will be held on November 21, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Laurence Catholic Church, 3100 Sweetwater Blvd, Sugar Land, Texas, 77479. A reception to celebrate Leyla’s life and her love of God and family will immediately follow at Daniel and Viviana Corredor’s residence. All friends and family are invited to the funeral Mass and reception.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Holy Child Charity, or Gabriel Project .