Portrait of Evelyn Corley. IMB Photo

Evelyn Corley, an International Mission Board missionary emeritus who shared the gospel in Colombia, died July 6, 2026. She was 96.  

Evelyn was born Sept. 4, 1929, in Henderson, Texas, to the late O.T. Allen and Gladys Mathis Allen. She graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Dallas, Texas, and received the Associate of Religious Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas. 

While seeking missionary appointment Evelyn wrote that after high school, “As a graduation gift my parents sent me to Y.W.A. Week at Ridgecrest. This was an unforgettable experience, and it was there that I first felt the Lord speaking to my heart about missions.”  

In March 1949, she married Clinton Cooper. After his death in October 1951, she went to work as an office clerk and secretary to support herself and their young son. She wrote, “During these days, as I leaned heavily upon the Lord for strength, I again began to hear Him speak to me of serving Him. One Sunday evening as a missionary … spoke to our church of his work, I surrendered my life to the Lord to do as He would lead. At the time, I was not sure just how He would use me, but I was sure that He would reveal His plans for me at the proper time.” 

Evelyn married Marion Corley on July 11, 1952. Together, they enrolled in seminary that September. After their graduation in 1955, they moved to Alabama, where Marion became pastor of the Wilton (Alabama) Baptist Church. During their pastorate at Wilton, and later at Alabaster, Alabama, Evelyn served in many capacities in the local and associational Woman’s Missionary Union organizations, Training Union, Sunday school and music work.  

In 1962, the International Mission Board appointed Marion and Evelyn missionaries to Colombia, where they served as church planters for 24 years.  

Evelyn was preceded in death by her first husband of 2 years, William Clinton Cooper; and her second husband of 64 years, Marion Lee Corley.  

She is survived by her children, Bruce Cooper (Pat) of Alabaster, Alabama; Denise Terry (Keith) of Garland, Texas; Lee Allen Corley (Mary Dayle) of Buda, Texas; Bryan Corley (Christine) of Forney, Texas; and Angela Webster (Tom) of Nacogdoches, Texas; 11 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great granddaughter.   

A funeral service was held July 11 at First Baptist Church in Garland, Texas, with burial in Grove Hill Memorial Park, Dallas.  

Read an obituary here.