Jesse Waylon Corlis

Jesse Waylon Corlis, 44, of Cross Lanes, WV passed away on Tuesday, October 10, 2023 on Ocracoke Island, NC. He died from complications of temporal lobe epilepsy. He was born on Halloween, October 31, 1978 at home in Frametown, where he grew up.

Surviving Jesse are his wife, Catherine Lee Corlis and his children, Delaney Corlis, 19, and Gavyn Siebanoller, 23. Also surviving Jesse are his parents, Michael and Deborah “Sam” Corlis; his brother, Matthew Corlis and wife, Bethany Corlis; sister, Ama Richardson and husband, Darryl Wendorf.  

Born at home, he showed a strong love of nature & capability of drawing from an early age. He was baptized in the Birch River in Herold, WV. He adored and was always there for his children. He loved his niece, Thea and his godson, Ayden Siebanoller.  

Jesse Corlis made the world a better place. He lived his life so well, people noticed and many folks were better for having him in their lives. He didn’t compromise principal or ethics. He didn’t back down from responsibility, large or small. He demonstrated his love for all life, from critters, all people, young & old, rich or poor, he treated them with the same respect. As talented as he was artistically, we think it was his character that was his strongest trait. We don’t worry about his kids because they know what makes a good parent and good people. The best thing all of us who survive Jesse can do is model his behavior and his heart. Lots of people say “just be nice” but Jesse exemplified that every day.  

Make this world a better, kinder, and more loving place in his memory. Dedicate yourselves to honoring him every day by your thoughts & actions. Don’t take anything in this big world for granted, it depends on each of us to make it work to anywhere near its potential. If you see injustice, try to right it. If you see someone who needs help, offer that help. Each of us can make a difference, he showed us that.  

We say goodbye to our valiant knight and will do our best to carry on in his path. His intelligence, sensitivity and generosity flowed from him enough for all of us to be energized moving forward. We will remember his love radiating from that amazing smile and sparkling eyes and we will know what to do. 

Jesse graduated from Braxton County H.S. in 1996 and W.V. Wesleyan in 2000. His true vocation in life was his art, but artists are under appreciated by our society and underpaid, so he also worked as the graphic artist for WV DMV, giving them his best, so think of him next time you see a copy of his turtle or bee “save the pollinators” plate. We hope some plates he was working on will be available in the future. Look for his murals all over WV, from the welcome center in Morgantown, to the bridge memorial in Pt. Pleasant, the Glass Museum in Weston, Gassaway memorial wall in the park, every Pies & Pints restaurant, and countless locations in Charleston, WV. 

Visitation will be the evening of Monday, October 16th from 5 to 8pm at Roach Funeral Home in Gassaway, WV. Funeral Service will be 11 am Tuesday, October 17th at Hope Baptist Church, Frametown with
Reverend Rich Demastus officiating. Burial to follow at Frame Stumbo Cemetery, Frametown. There will be food and fellowship at the church afterwards.

In lieu of flowers, plant some seeds or trees. Adopt a shelter dog or cat, donate blood, tip your hat to Jesse.
Words of comfort and fond memories may be extended to the family at www.roachfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements by Roach Funeral Home, Gassaway.