Jerry Franklin Corlew's Obituary
Jerry Franklin Corlew, 82, retired United Methodist minister, died on Sunday evening, December 13th in Germantown, Tennessee. He was born in Jackson, Tennessee on June 14, 1933, to Milton and Ruby Corlew, who predeceased him. He is survived by his wife, Martha Ann Corlew, son Steven Corlew, of Memphis and daughter Anne Corlew Sherry and her husband Michael of Bainbridge Island, WA. He is also survived by four grandchildren: Elizabeth Sherry and Alexander Sherry, both of Seattle, WA, and Madeleine Sherry and Benjamin Sherry of Bainbridge Island, WA. Other survivors include his brother BJ Corlew and his wife Elsie Corlew of Jackson, TN, his sister Imogene Corlew Wiltsey of Reno, NV and a number of nieces and nephews. His brothers, Robert L. Corlew and Benny Corlew and sister Peggy Corlew Lillard preceded him in death. Jerry Corlew grew up in the Malesus community and was educated in Jackson, graduating from Jackson Central High School and Lambuth College. In 1958, he received a Masters of Divinity from Vanderbilt University. Following his ordination as a United Methodist minister, he married Martha Ann in 1959 in Chattanooga. They were married for 56 years. Rev. Corlew served his ministry in the Memphis Conference of the United Methodist Church (UMC). His appointments included Associate Minister Fountain Avenue UMC in Paducah, KY and Oakland and Palma UMC churches in Benton County, KY. In 1960 Jerry and Martha Ann moved to Grace UMC in Humboldt, TN, then to First UMC in Henderson, TN. In 1968, Rev. Corlew was appointed to start the United Methodist Neighborhood Centers in Memphis, TN. Other churches he served in Shelby County were First UMC in Millington, Executive Minister at Christ UMC in Memphis, and First UMC in Collierville. Stemming from his work as the first Executive Director of Methodist Neighborhood Centers, Rev. Corlew, along with a dedicated group of concerned men and women, recognized the need for affordable housing in the city of Memphis. From that effort, Wesley Senior Ministries was established where Rev. Corlew spent many years serving as its President. He continued his support of Wesley Senior Ministries following his retirement by serving on the Board of Golden Cross, the supporting foundation of WSM. Rev. Corlew served as a Chaplain in the Tennessee Army Reserve and retired with the rank of Lt. Colonel. His lifetime commitment to serving others has been recognized in many ways, including receipt of the Living Award for Inspiration in Faith and Health by Methodist by Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare and Methodist Healthcare Foundation in 2011. A Memorial Service is planned for Friday, December 18th at Germantown United Methodist Church. Visitation will take place from 10:30 am prior to the Memorial Service at noon. Following the Memorial Service in the sanctuary, a reception in Mike Wilson Fellowship Hall is planned. As the sanctuary of the church is decorated beautifully for the Christmas Season, the family does not plan to add anything for the service. In lieu of flowers, the family would suggest lasting memorials to Golden Cross Foundation at Wesley Senior Ministries (goldencrossfoundation.org), Germantown United Methodist Church (germantownumc.org), or The Village at Germantown Foundation (village-germantown.com/the-village-foundation). Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave. Memphis, TN 38119. “Celebrating Life… Behind the Stone Wall”
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