Jesse Daniel Corry, Jr. made the transition from life to death on July 9, 2008 peacefully at his home.

Mr. Corry was born on December 15, 1935 to Jesse Corry, Sr. and Lucy Pickett Corry in Rowan County, NC, the third of fourteen children. He set goals early in life and developed a work ethic that helped him realize same. He worked diligently as a porter at the bus station, and did mechanic work to earn his degree from Livingstone College. His first teaching assignment at Dunbar High School, East Spencer, included teaching Social Studies and coaching the Girl's Basketball team. His discipline and fortitude later aided him in earning a Master's degree in Counseling from North Carolina Central University. He served as counselor for the following Rowan County Schools; R.A. Clement, Aggrey Memorial, and Salisbury High School.

Mr. Corry furthered his educational bio by attending numerous seminars specifically centered on Management. His directorship of Salisbury Community Service Council provided him with the opportunity to touch grass roots citizens seeking skills for the betterment of their lives. His career advancement continued and he became Personnel Manager for Fieldcrest Mills, taking him first to Stokesdale, NC then to Eden, NC, and finally to NC Finishing Company in Salisbury, where he retired in 1999.

Mr. Corry's life was church-centered. His church work began at Henderson Grove Baptist Church in Salisbury, NC where he served as a teacher and chairman of the deacon board. He joined First Baptist Church in Winston-Salem in 1981. He was a member of the Trustee Board, Deacon Board, and Finance Committee for a number of years and remained a faithful member until his demise. Mr. Corry furthered his religious beliefs by enrolling in Virginia Union School of Theology and also completed some of his classes at Hood Theological Seminary. He became an ordained minister. However, his health did not allow for a rigorous pursuit of this endeavor.

Another focus of Mr. Corry's interest was sports. He refereed football and basketball for High School and CIAA for basketball and football for thirty-six years.

Mr. Corry held memberships in numerous civic and community organizations. He received the Sigma Man of the Year Award from Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, and the Salisbury Humanitarian Award.

He was preceded in death by a son, Paul I. Corry, who died in 2004.

Mr. Corry lived the creed of being a helping servant no matter your station in life causing him to touch the lives of numerous persons and care for others in his home other than his two sons. Those who will cherish his memory are his wife, Clara W. Corry; son, Daniel Corry, sister-in-law who was reared in the home, Dr. Carolyn Duncan, reared in the home; brothers, Walter Lee, H. Eugene and Frederick Corry all of Salisbury and David C. Corry, Washington, DC; sisters, Margaret C. Rush (Melvin)and Carolyn Corry both of Salisbury,Gloria Marsh (Ben), Conyers, GA; granddaughters, Kaytlin and Rebekah Corry,Ashburn, VA and daughter-in-law, Deborah Corry of Ashburn, Va. brother-in-law, Dr. Rev. Henry Waiters, Salisbury; sisters-in-law, Marcia Phifer (James), Delran, NJ and Sandra Stewart, Tampa, FL; a host of nieces, nephews,cousins and friends.

He also leaves to mourn sisters-in-law, Deborah Corry of Ashburn, Va. and a brother-in-law, Reverend Henry Waiters of Salisbury, NC; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives across the US.

Visitation: Sunday, July 13, 2008 at Varick Auditorium, Livingstone College, from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. and also 10:00 am Monday, July 14, 2008 First Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, NC.

Funeral: Monday, July 14, 2008, First Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, 11:00 a.m., Dr. Glenn Pettiford, Eulogist, Reverend Daryl Aaron, Pastor officiatin.

Hairston Funeral Home, Inc., is serving the family. Online condolences may be sent to www.hairstonfh.com.

 Service Information