Corey’s Story
God so loved the world that he blessed the occasion of life through the birth of Corey Jermaine Reynolds on June 6, 1979, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio. His devoted parents, Glenna and Moses Reynolds, welcomed their only and most beloved gift, their son, Corey. He was affectionately known as “Poo Loo” and many of his friends fondly called him “Fats.”
He was instilled with the rearing of a path of Christian faith that he followed all the days of his life. At an early age he accepted Christ as his personal Savior and rededicated his life as an adult on his own accord to show himself approved. Corey was a devoted member of the Beth-El AME Zion Church in Cleveland, Ohio where he was a charter member of the Spirit of Zion Choir under the leadership of Emmerita “Princess” Foster and he loved his Sunday school teachings. His discipleship was rooted through the wisdom, tutelage and inspiration of his favorite pastor, Reverend Dr. Emmett D Foster.
During his former school years, Corey attended Cedar Hill Christian Academy and Monticello Middle school in Cleveland Heights. He was a proud graduate of the class of “1997” at Brush High School in South Euclid, Ohio. While at Brush, he excelled in his favorite sport, basketball. After high school, Corey attended one of the elite HBCU institutions, Alabama A&M University. He was predestined in his career aspirations to become an engineer early on during his teen years. Upon completion, he proudly earned the badge of armor, and his degree read, Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering graduating in May 2002. Through his educational accomplishments, a world of opportunities paved the way for many chapters of his life where he soared and advanced his career. While living in Birmingham, Alabama, he was employed with U.S. Steel for thirteen years which unfortunately later led to a lay-off with the company. Being the achiever that he is, Corey had been looking for a job and within 2 weeks of the lay-off, he then relocated to Florida where he worked as a Foreman for two years. His last stretch began in January 2018 at Sonoco Manufacturing as a Maintenance Supervisor in Hutchinson, Kansas. Corey was at the helm where he earned the respect of his co-workers, while supervising at least a fifteen-member crew. Throughout his engineering career he held several high-profile managerial positions which was attributed to his award winning personality, his intellect, his friendly aura and the ability to “get in where he fit in.”
Corey was a proud dad, symbol of fatherhood and loving guide to his first two daughters, Azaria Makalah and Rosie Marie.
Corey loved family unconditionally and even with his stature of being a giant, he hollered, loud and clear, “mommie” up until he was 42. Corey loved his parents with his whole heart. His father, Moses and his mommie, Glenna immensely spoiled him to the core of his being from childhood on into adulthood. His father loved buying him every new pair of Michael Jordan tennis shoes; it was a dad-son thing that the two treasured in trying to keep it real. Moses always tried to let Corey know that life is hard but no matter what son, we will be there for each other. Moses was proud to call him son! Corey will be fondly, remembered for being a kid at play roughing up the boys and being a gentle giant with the girls while sharing wisdom. His favorite pastimes were collecting firetrucks, golfing, bike riding and lastly bowling. The Cleveland Browns will miss the “woof-woof” from Corey as well as the CAVS; he loved his home teams regardless of winning, losing, in madness or in victory. He loved the “Ohio State Buckeyes” on Saturdays and the Browns on Sunday. Corey led the rough, loudness, and trusted brotherhood of his fraternity, Omega Psi Phi. Anyone who knew him, knew him by his bark, it was the “Q” dog in CJR since crossing as #11 on his line, “13 Da Hard Way” in Huntsville, Alabama in 1999͘.

The first thing Corey did when he moved to Kansas was locate his Omega Psi Phi Fraternity brothers. Corey was the chairperson for the Mu Nu chapter and was known as the pusher and the finisher for getting things done, but not without talking a little smack to motivate his brothers. He was a husband, son, grandson, father, friend, confidant and even embraced strangers’ sight unseen. His personality was over the top and best cloned with a chemistry of his mommie, Glenna. Corey left up north with a city drawl and quickly took on an Alabama southern drawl and never lost it. He had many funny sayings, but his signature greeting was “What up Dog” and everyone was privy to that greeting.
Corey loved education and later returned to higher education where he earned his Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) with a specialization in Project Management in 2017 from the Florida University of Technology.
Rainy and Corey were introduced to one another in the fall of 2019 by one of their fraternity brothers. The introduction went like this, “Rainy this is Corey, Corey this is your wife!” From the moment they were introduced they spent each and every day together. Corey said after day 2, he knew that God designed Rainy especially for him and that she would indeed be his wife. They lived vicariously with a match to ignite their love for one another. God Built-a-Man especially for Rainy to fulfill the desires of her heart. Her prayers were answered when she met Corey, her soul mate, the love of her life. As time prevailed, the two hearts meshed, and they bid “I DO” and were united in holy matrimony in Las Vegas, Nevada on 2-21- 21. Although the union was brief, happiness is everlasting. Together, they naturally blended their lives together. Corey became Rainy’s husband, and a bonus dad to her children. Corey valued the loving relationship with his bonus children, RaJone Starr Callahan and Bryant Keith Callahan as his treasured keepsakes. A cherished relationship that his bonus children will treasure forever.
Corey lived his dash of life between his birthright (1979) and departure flight (2021) honoring all God’s insight while enjoying life’s journey; meanwhile, Corey, never lost sight of his praise while on his way to Glory! On Monday, August 23rd at 5:01 pm, with his loves by his side: his wife, Rainy, and his mommie, God made the executive decision to take a detour as he saw fit to another days’ journey in a different light for the life of Corey. With that promise, God offers up everlasting rest and peace. Although he is gone too soon for many of us, yet and still, we will forever cherish and hold to his unforgettable memory and the short time God gave us the honored time to share a piece of the love of Corey Jermaine Reynolds.
It takes a village to raise a child and preceding Corey in death were his villagers: his dedicated grandmother of love, Arlivia Woods aka “Mu”; grandfather, Amiel Carter; adored twin aunties, Sharon Woods, Sandra Fort and Carla Carter who will welcome his “Que” bark on Heaven’s Highway; his paternal aunts, Homer Lee, Doree, Annette; paternal uncles, Calvin, John, Aldridge; Corey’s lively and loving spirit will be treasured by his soulmate and wife, Rainy Reynolds of Wichita, Kansas; his caring father, Moses Reynolds of Toledo, Ohio; and his loving and caring mother aka “Mommie” Glenna of Cleveland, Ohio; first two daughters; his bonus children, RaJone Starr and Bryant Keith Callahan; his brother-cousins, who grew up with him, Leon, Maurice ‘Frank’, Matt and Sam; paternal uncle, Jimmy (Connie) of Fresno, California; aunts, Ruth, Ethel, Jeannette of Akron, Ohio and Mary Lee of Eutaw, Alabama; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives; his entire OMEGA PSI PHI FRATERNITY, INC; many countless church family members and the entire host of village squads of his hometown, Cleveland.