Frances May Corley

Frances May Corley, 89, of Woodstock, Virginia, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving family on October 13, 2020. She was born on April 16, 1931 in Washington, DC to the late Philip Cyrus and Ethel McAfee Cyrus. Due to the deaths of her parents at age twelve months, she was raised by her maternal grandparents, the late Roy W. McAfee, Sr. and Julia Spinner McAfee in Woodstock, Virginia.
She was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, and sons, Marion Kaufman, Jr., Keith Kaufman and Kevin Kaufman.
Surviving to cherish her memory are her devoted husband of 45 years, Allen Corley, her children from her first marriage to Marion Kaufman, Sr., Deborah Kaufman, Greensboro, North Carolina, Monedia (Thomas) Elzey, Orangeburg, South Carolina, Benjamin Kaufman, Virginia Beach, Virginia, Rachel Kaufman, Woodstock, Virginia, Maurice Kaufman, Woodstock, Virginia, an aunt, Jean Murray, Washington, DC, and cousin, Emma Christian, Clinton, Maryland who she loved as sisters. Additionally, she leaves fifteen grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and many other relatives and friends.
Frances attended elementary school in Woodstock, Virginia and high school at Manassas Industrial School in Manassas, Virginia. She excelled in piano, loved to sing, and participated in talent competitions. She liked to tell the story of winning the national Arthur Godfrey talent competition when she was a teenager, which could have made her a star, but her grandparents would not let her go to the big city of New York to pursue a career.
Frances worked various jobs until she found her calling taking care of the sick and disabled as a certified nursing assistant. She retired from Skyline Terrace Nursing Home in Woodstock, Virginia after twenty-nine years of service.
Frances was a life-long member of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church of Woodstock, Virginia where she served on the board and as church pianist for many years. She also served as pianist for Mt. Zion Methodist Church of Strasburg, Virginia. She spent her time in service of others by playing for weddings and funerals throughout the region. Her faith was practiced daily in the way she cared for her family and how she treated others.
Frances dedicated her life to her children and her husband. She loved to crochet and took pride in making beautiful afghans for everyone in her family. She enjoyed life and took pleasure in traveling with her children and visiting with friends. She had a very outgoing personality and loved meeting new people. She made friends everywhere she went with her great sense of humor and infectious laughter.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2020; 11:00 A.M. at Mt. Zion Methodist Church, Woodstock, Virginia, with Pastor Todd Gess, eulogist. Visitation will be held one hour before the service. Interment will follow at Riverview Cemetery, Woodstock, Virginia.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Dellinger Funeral Home, Woodstock, Virginia for the Corley and Kaufman family. COVID 19 recommendations will be followed.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, 158 N. Church St., Woodstock, Virginia or Blue Ridge Hospice, 232 South Main Street, Woodstock, Virginia.

Cemetery Details
Riverview Cemetery
Previous Events
Visitation
OCT 17. 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (ET)
Mt. Zion United Methodist Church

158 N Church St,

Woodstock, VA 22664



Service
OCT 17. 11:00 AM (ET)
Mt. Zion United Methodist Church

158 N Church St,

Woodstock, VA 22664

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