Elsie Mae Matthews Corlew, 91, of Jackson, Tennessee, passed away at her home on Friday, December 6, 2024.
Born on June 3, 1933, in Pinson, Tennessee, to M.A. and Lela Simmons Matthews, Elsie lived a life full of love, dedication, and joy.
Elsie’s greatest pride was raising her three beautiful children. As a devoted wife and mother, she embraced the life of a military family, traveling extensively with her beloved husband, Billy J. Corlew. Elsie found joy in the simple pleasures of life, such as cooking delicious meals for her family, solving crossword puzzles, and taking scenic road trips.
A lifelong member of Malesus United Methodist Church, Elsie’s faith was a cornerstone of her life, shaping her values and deep connection to her community.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Billy J. Corlew; her parents, M.A. and Lela Simmons Matthews; her siblings, Bennie Matthews and Joy Matthews Palmer; and her son-in-law, Michael Price.
Elsie leaves behind a legacy of love and family. She is survived by her three children, Teresa Corlew Gusmus (Ralph), Greg M. Corlew, and Tami Corlew Price (Michael); her grandchildren, Jonathan M. Price (Leslie), Matthew A. Price (Paige), Tiffany Evans VanCleve (Neil), Brittany Corlew Mayall (Brett), and Alexandrea M. Corlew; and her cherished great-grandchildren, Vivian, Madeline, and Grayson VanCleve, River Keith Russell, and Aubrie, Blaine, and Jadyn Price. She is also survived by her brother, Gerald “Buddy” Matthews.
A service to celebrate Elsie’s life will be held on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at 1:00 PM graveside at Ebenezer Cemetery. Friends and family are invited to pay their respects at a visitation held earlier that day from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM at the South Chapel of George A. Smith and Sons.
Elsie Mae Matthews Corlew will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose warmth, kindness, and enduring faith left a lasting impression on all who knew her. Her memory will continue to live on in the hearts of her family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be directed to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or Malesus United Methodist Church.
