Russell Corkern

Russell Homer Corkern passed from the life on October 1, 2012 at his home in Byram, Mississippi, shortly after his 82nd birthday. Chancellor Funeral Home in Byram is handling the arrangements. Visitation will be 5-8pm Wednesday, October 3, 2012 at Chancellor Funeral and 10am until the 11am funeral services Thursday, October 4 at Siwell Road Church of Christ. Interment will follow at Lakewood South.\ \ Russ Corkern was born September 29, 1930 to Hazel Jordan Corkern and Homer Pinkney Corkern in Auburn, Mississippi. He graduated from Auburn High School (with seven classmates) and moved to Jackson in 1948. After graduating from Draughans Business College, he worked for local businesses until entering the Air Force. After being discharged to reservist duty, he moved back to Jackson. On April 7, 1950, Russell married Willie Tanner in Jackson. He was recalled to the Air Force for another tour, then worked for a local building products company. In 1960, he began a franchised overhead door operation that eventually became Corkern Door Co., Inc. where he served as president for the remainder of his working life.\ \ Russ and Willie had four sons and a daughter born from 1951 to 1961. He was a life-long member of Siwell Church of Christ and its predecessor, Belvedere Church of Christ, serving many years as an elder. He was instrumental in the construction of the Siwell Road building. While raising his family in the early years in Alta Woods, he wanted land for farming and raising cows. After buying eight acres in "the country" on Raymond Road, he built a barn (mostly out of garage doors salvaged from a fire), horse corral, and eventually a home on Raymond Road. He finally had room to raise Black Angus cattle and Tennessee Walking horses. In his two acre garden, he plowed with a mule into the mid-1970's. As his business thrived over the years, he bought and sold other farms in Terry, Hazlehurst, and Pike County, where he raised Black Angus cattle. After the children were grown, Russ and Willie built a house in Crystal Springs where they lived a short time before moving to Siwell Road, his final home. As he downsized, Corkern raised miniature horses and goats as long as he was able. In his last years, he became caretaker to his wife who had taken care of him their entire married life.\ \ Corkern is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Bob Corkern and Emory Corkern and by his son, Phillip Corkern. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Willie Tanner Corkern; three sons, Don (Debby) Corkern, David Corkern, and Bruce (Rhonda) Corkern; a daughter, Carolyn (Mark) Williams; brothers Cecil Corkern and Pete Corkern; a sister, Alice Smith;; grandchildren, Donny Corkern, Doug Corkern, Mandi Duncan, Amy Pieralisi, Laura Corkern, Jon Williams, Jake Williams, Josh Williams, Brad Corkern, Beth Corkern; great-grandchildren, Dylan Corkern, Charlyte Scarf, Joseph Corkern, John Corkern, Skylar Duncan and Russell Pieralisi.\ \ In lieu of flowers the family request memorials be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Mississippi Chapter, 1900 Dunbarton Dr., Suite H, Jackson, MS 39216.\ On line guest book available at www.chancellorfuneralhome.com.\