Corey's life began the day he was born and from that day everything he did and every minute mattered. God's grace has always been with Corey. Corey cheated death when he fell asleep behind the wheel heading home to Cleveland from Alabama. God knew the plans he had for Corey.

I am not sure why his nickname was "Fats" it should have been certified lover boy! As one young lady would be taken away by his charming ways.  He would work his way into her heart and they would make a baby. Corey first became a father while in college. He was the proud father of Azaria Mykalah Ashford. Corey worked hard as a student, father, and employee at Toys R Us to provide for Azaria. He would often boast of all the cool toys and beds she had because he "got the hook up" working at Toys R Us. While the relationship between Azaria's parents would not come full circle, that's alright, because God knew the plans he had for Corey.

When Corey moved to Birmingham, Alabama for work, he would start his charm cycle all over again, but this time that charm would land him a wife.  Corey and I quickly fell in love. We were married 3 months after he proposed to me. We had a small but beautiful backyard wedding.

Lord knows our marriage was filled with stress but we made "13 da hard way"

Our love would bring about our own beautiful daughter, Rosie Marie Reynolds. We named Rosie Marie for our grandmothers as his beloved "Mu" was Arlivia Marie and my grandmother, Rosie.  Rosie was born premature and I had never seen Corey so broken. Her lungs were under developed so they would not let us hold her. Corey was in the room while I gave birth and he was able to wrap her and walk her to the nursery. After a nice long week in the hospital Rosie and mommy were able to come home.

As a family, we loved road trips. Florida was our favorite place to be, always taking Rosie to Orlando and the beach or enjoying grown up time in South Beach.  When we weren't traveling you could find us dining out, at the comedy club or at the house cheering on The Ohio State University.

Our Dear Darling Corey,

In two years our Rosie will be graduating high school with a 4.0. She intends to major in biomedical engineering and minor in Mandarin.

Rosie's goal is to become a Forensic Pathologist. You would be sick to know that she is being recruited by The Ohio State University!

All of your hard work and our team work paid off. Rosie is first chair cello in Orchestra, speaks fluent Chinese, a dancer, cheerleader, Beta Club member, SGA Treasurer, and a part of so many leadership programs, it's too many to name.

God gave you two beautiful, strong, intelligent, loving, and forgiving daughters. If anyone is looking for you or missing you, they need not look any further than Azaria and Rosie, because they are the keepers of your smile and silly ways.  They are not your first two daughters, but your  only two daughters.  Your blood runs through them, and just like the blood flows, so does the love. You will live on through your girls, who strive to make you proud.  

Love always,

Rosie Marie Reynolds

Venus L. Reynolds