Corley L. Shearouse, Jr., died Monday, April 9, 2018 at his residence.

The Chatham County native was born in Savannah and was a lifelong resident of Pooler and member of Trinity United Methodist Church. Upon Graduation from high school, he enlisted in the Georgia Air National Guard and was stationed at the Savannah Air National Guard Base. He retired from the 165th Airlift Wing as Major, with 29 years of faithful service and was a founding member of the Savannah Association of Flying Guardsmen. After his retirement, he enrolled and graduated from the Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service. While a student, he was employed with A.S. Turner Funeral Home. He returned home and began his second career as a funeral director with Fox and Weeks Funeral Directors and later retired from Thomas C. Strickland Funeral Homes. He was a former member of the Georgia Independent Funeral Directors, a life member of the Air Force Association, the National Guard Association, and the Reserve Officer's Association. He will be remembered as a gracious host, a revered food critic, and believed the best times with family and friends could be shared over a warm meal. He was preceded in death by his parents Lester and Ernestine Shearouse and brother Voight Shearouse.

Survivors include his sister and brother-in-law, Virginia and Ralph "Leon" Phillips; and several nieces and nephew.

Visitation:  6-8 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home.

Funeral:  1 p.m. on Friday at Trinity United Methodist Church, with Rev Tom Dent, Rev. Randy Nease, and Rev. Kenny Harrelson officiating.  Burial will follow at Hillcrest Abbey East Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Lt. Col. Charles Marsh, Jason Foreman, John Hunter, Julian Mahabir, Chris Nettles, Chef Jerome Brown, Hugh Slemp, Alvin Floyd, and Butch Into.

Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Savannah Association of Flying Air National Guardsmen.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Trinity United Methodist Church, 320 Benton Dr. Pooler, GA 31322, Central Baptist Church, 4010 Old Louisville Rd., Garden City, GA 31408, or Hospice of Savannah at www.hospicesavannah.org

Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Home – West Chatham Chapel – 901 W. Hwy. 80 – Pooler, GA  31322 (912) 748-2444