Obituary for Estia W. Corley
Estia Corley was born on June 22, 1926 in Salley, South Carolina to the late Deacon Wesley Ware Sr., and the late Nettie Cobb Ware. She was the sixth of nine children; preceded in death by brothers, Wesley, George, Millidge, McLellan and Willie, and sisters Erria and Pintha.
At an early age Estia gave her life to Christ and was baptized at Old Macedonia Baptist Church in Edgefield County, South Carolina. Her elementary and secondary education culminated at Bettis Academy in Trenton, South Carolina. At the tender age of 17, she met and married the love of her life, James Corley. They celebrated 55 years of marriage before his death in 2001. As newlyweds, James and Estia relocated to Jamaica, New York where Estia did domestic work and was a dressmaker. She eventually became a window clerk for the United States Postal Service, and worked at the main branch on 34th Street in New York City until her retirement. Upon retirement, Estia and James started a new and successful oil business, Soho Fuel Oil Company; serving many of the residents of Queens, New York, for many years. Estia loved to shop, and had more outfits and hats than she could ever wear. However, her membership at Bethany Baptist Church in Jamaica provided many opportunities to “don the latest fashions.” At Bethany,
Estia was a part of the Friendship Circle while her health allowed her. Unbeknownst to many, Estia had a beautiful soprano voice which she used as a member of Growth In Christ Community Choir for a season. Her beautiful smile and quick wit will truly be missed by her family and friends.
Estia leaves to cherish her memories her last brother, Coolidge (Plainview, NY); two Sisters-in-law, Rosetta Staley (Queens, NY); Carolyn Perkins (Hempstead, NY); one godson, Daryl Ware (Massapequa, NY); five nieces, seven nephews, many great and great-great nephews and nieces, and a host of cousins and friends.
Done in sorrow,
The Family
At an early age Estia gave her life to Christ and was baptized at Old Macedonia Baptist Church in Edgefield County, South Carolina. Her elementary and secondary education culminated at Bettis Academy in Trenton, South Carolina. At the tender age of 17, she met and married the love of her life, James Corley. They celebrated 55 years of marriage before his death in 2001. As newlyweds, James and Estia relocated to Jamaica, New York where Estia did domestic work and was a dressmaker. She eventually became a window clerk for the United States Postal Service, and worked at the main branch on 34th Street in New York City until her retirement. Upon retirement, Estia and James started a new and successful oil business, Soho Fuel Oil Company; serving many of the residents of Queens, New York, for many years. Estia loved to shop, and had more outfits and hats than she could ever wear. However, her membership at Bethany Baptist Church in Jamaica provided many opportunities to “don the latest fashions.” At Bethany,
Estia was a part of the Friendship Circle while her health allowed her. Unbeknownst to many, Estia had a beautiful soprano voice which she used as a member of Growth In Christ Community Choir for a season. Her beautiful smile and quick wit will truly be missed by her family and friends.
Estia leaves to cherish her memories her last brother, Coolidge (Plainview, NY); two Sisters-in-law, Rosetta Staley (Queens, NY); Carolyn Perkins (Hempstead, NY); one godson, Daryl Ware (Massapequa, NY); five nieces, seven nephews, many great and great-great nephews and nieces, and a host of cousins and friends.
Done in sorrow,
The Family