Cory Cortez Steele

Cory’s playing time kicked off on May 7, 1988, with Head Coaches Lisa A. Steele and Ricky N. Pittmon. He was the first on the team of 3 with them. Then came Latoria and Gail. Although his Mom had to retire from the game of coaching before it was expected, Cory still managed to get coached through life by some of the most influential people in his life. Affectionately known as Hammerhead and C. Steele, Cory grew up in Morton, MS and developed life-long friendships and bonds.

Cory matriculated, bled Blue and Gold for 13 years (K-12), and graduated from Morton High School in 2006. He loved all sports, but excelled at football and basketball. He continued his athletic career at Alcorn State University, but because of the protector in him, when the final whistle blew for his mom, he had to return to be the support for his siblings. Cory entered the workforce to secure stability for his sisters, but didn’t abandon his own education. He resumed later and finished college at Jackson State University

Just as Cory was passionate about sports, his gentle heart extended beyond there. He enjoyed spending quality time with friends and family, playing an intense game of spades, where most times he brought on the intensity, paying the kids to give up their wild cards in a game of Phase 10, linking up with friends on video games, spending time with Jordan, investing in kids in the neighborhood, researching history and how to be financially free. He was skilled in the world of stocks and investments. While attempting to secure a future for Jordan to live out his dream, Cory was afforded the opportunity to be on staff at East Rankin Academy, where he did their live stream and was an instructor in their elementary coding class.

On Friday, November 7, 2025, the game of life for Cory came to an unexpected end. The Final Whistle blew, and he was called to new seats in the Big Stadium in the sky, right next to his Mom, Lisa, his maternal grandparents, Manuel and Fannie Mae Steele, his paternal grandfather, Jimmy Pittman, his uncle, Robert Steele, and his cousin, Ryquerious Steele.

Although it was hard to leave such an amazing line-up behind, Cory felt the team could handle it from here, so he leaves to cherish his memories his father, Ricky Pittman; paternal grandmother, Mary Jean Pittman; his children, Jordan, K’orie, Nova, and Mella; four sisters, Latoria Pittmon, Brikki (Alex) Gilbert, Gail Steele, and Brandy Watson; four brothers, Nickales Nichols, Brandon White, Jebroskye Slack, and Christian Pittman; three aunts, Ann Steele, Denise Steele, and Ashondra (Clinton) McCoy; one uncle, Sherrod (Missy) Pittmon; five nieces, Erin Huddleston, Janiyah Gilbert, Poetry Posey, Emilee Nichols and Ava Gilbert; four nephews, Carson Gilbert, Princeton Posey, Kylen Armon, and Kyrie Armon; and a special mother figure, Cathy Lewis. He also leaves cousins and extended family, and friends to cherish his memories.