Doyle Corlew

Rev. Doyle Corlew, son of the late William Chester "Bill" and Versie Helen Kimbrell Corlew, was born on June 18, 1919, in Essex, Missouri and passed away at the Crowley Ridge Care Center in Dexter, Missouri on July 15, 2012, at the age of 93 years and 28 days. He had lived in Essex and Dexter all his life. He graduated from Oakland City General Baptist College and received a masters in Education and Counseling. He was a retired counselor from the Richland R-1 School District and was a General Baptist Minister for over 60 years. He pastored the Olive Branch General Baptist Church until shortly before his death. He touched many lives through his years of service as minister and counselor in the Dexter and Essex communities. He was first married to Vera Verneta Blevins on May 11, 1940 in Essex, Missouri. She preceded him in death on July 6,1996. On September 2, 1998, he was married to Altha Hawley in Dexter, Missouri. She survives at their home in Dexter, Missouri. Doyle is survived by his wife, Altha Corlew of Dexter, Missouri; two sons, Gary Corlew of Essex, Missouri, David and Norma Corlew of Essex Missouri; two stepdaughters, Karen Hartie of Brookline, Missouri and Melba Matthews of Springdale, Arkansas; three grandchildren, Shannon Nelson of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Stacie Palmer of Murray, Kentucky, and Jake Corlew of Dexter, Missouri; ten great grandchildren; one sister, Wanda Owens of Eldorado, Illinois. Many other relatives and friends also survive. He was also preceded in death by two daughters, Lana Jean Corlew and Doylene Corlew, one sister, Helen Crutcher, and one brother, Charles William Corlew. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 17, 2012, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Watkins and Sons Chapel in Dexter, Missouri. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 18, 2012, at the Watkins and Sons Chapel in Dexter, Missouri, with Rev. Kenneth Biggs of Dexter, Missouri. Interment will follow in the Triplett Cemetery in Dexter, Missouri with Watkins & Sons Funeral Service of Dexter in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to the Olive Branch General Baptist Church in Essex, Missouri.