Clara Lee Magruder Corley

Clara Lee Magruder Corley, 95, passed away peacefully Monday evening, February 6, 2006. She was born in Jackson, Mississippi, October 1, 1910. She lived in New Orleans during her school years but spent many summers visiting her Aunt, Octavia Echols, who lived on the Methodist "Camp Grounds." This is the location of the current Methodist Retirement Center on West Beach Blvd. She moved to the Coast with her budding family in 1933 and, except for residing briefly in Gulf Hills, she lived within a few miles of the Camp Grounds all of her life. She lost her home in the Miramar subdivision to Hurricane Camille. Two brief moves later, she bought a home in Bay Vista near Popps Ferry, where she lived until moving into Personal Care at the Methodist Retirement Center. She resided there until she was evacuated to Jackson after Hurricane Katrina. Upon returning to the Coast after Christmas, she lived at Jo Ellen Frasier's "Home Away from Home" in Saucier until her death. Clara Lee ("Mema" to her family) was a homemaker until her children were grown, after which time she was children's librarian at the Biloxi Library until her retirement. She has been a member of the Miramar Garden Club and the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was also an associate member and past president of the Cleophon Club. Organized in 1901. This club is the oldest study club for women currently in existence in Mississippi. She was predeceased by her husband of 45 years, W. H. Corley, by her sister, Eva Rose Dutton of North Carolina, and by her special friend from the Methodist Retirement Center, Leslie Hoy. She is survived by her three children, Claire Anderson of Houston, TX; Nancy R. Wheeler of Gulfport, and W. H. "Sonny" Corley, Jr., of Jackson; seven grandchildren, Gayle Mirkin and her husband, Dana, of Portland, OR, Sherry Butler and Kim Young of Houston, TX, Nancy Lynn Monier and her husband, Kamal of Cairo, Egypt, Scott Roberts and his wife Cynthia, of Austin, TX, Cynthia Ray and her husband, James, and W. H. "Sandy" Corley, III of Jackson, MS; seven great grandchildren, Brian Mirkin and his wife, Emily and Todd Butler and his wife, Britta, of Austin, TX, Blake Butler of Houston, TX, Clara Moneir and Lydia Moneir of Cairo, Egypt, Corley Roberts and Teddy Roberts of Austin, TX and two great great grandchildren, Madison Butler and McKenzie of Austin, TX. The family appreciates the kindness and compassion extended by the management and staff of the Personal Care Centers where she has resided, and wishes to extend a special thanks to her caregivers, within and outside of these Centers, for their loving care. A very special accolade is extended to Paula Beaugez, who became a much-loved friend. The family has made arrangements for a nursing scholarship for Paula's daughter, Beth Mallett, who is preparing to enter nursing school in the fall. The funeral service will be at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, February 11, 2006 at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral, Pass Road in Biloxi, where friends may visit one hour before. Interment will be in Southern Memorial Park on West Beach Boulevard. In lieu of flowers, the family requests the consideration of sending a memorial to the Clara Lee Magruder Corley Nursing Scholarship Fund at MS Gulf Coast Community College Foundation, P.O. Box 99, Perkinston, MS 39573.