Mable Fleming Corbitt

OBITUARY                                                                                                   MRS. MABLE FLEMING CORBITT

Mable Fleming Corbitt, a follower of Jesus, died peacefully at the age of 98 on May 20, 2019, after a long, productive life.

Mable was born November 30, 1920, in Andalusia, AL, daughter of George Monroe and Maude Thrash Fleming, the seventh of nine children. She grew up in New Brockton, AL and finished high school in Brinson, GA, before entering Andrew College, where she majored in Speech.

After graduating, she went to Willacoochee, Georgia, to teach third grade in 1939. There she met Wilbur Corbitt, whose family were long-time residents of the area.

Wilbur and Mable were married in 1942 in Miami, FL, where he was working for the Army Corps of Engineers. Wilbur stayed with the Corps of Engineers throughout the war, and they moved from Miami to Boca Raton, Jacksonville, and Savannah for various assignments.

In Savannah in 1946, their first baby, a son, died during delivery. The couple then moved back to Willacoochee to start their business, Perkins-Corbitt Hardware, later Corbitt Hardware and Furniture.

They raised their children, Larry, Marsha, and Chris, in Willacoochee, where Mable was a leader in the community and the Methodist Church. For a time, she ran Mable’s Gift Shop in a corner of the hardware store. It was a great place to buy wedding and shower gifts—at “Mable’s, Of Course.”

Mable made a good life with whatever came her way. Over the years she began to teach Bible studies and in later years in Willacoochee, she taught Revelation many times. Always creative, she also wrote poetry, painted, and sang solos. She had a reputation as an excellent hostess and cook (especially her caramel cake) and was an avid reader. She adored her granddaughters who came every summer to “Camp Willacoochee,” where Mable taught them to fish, paint, and tell stories. She remained a devoted fan of the Atlanta Braves throughout her later years.

Wilbur died in 1993, and, when she could no longer drive due to macular degeneration, Mable moved to Presbyterian Village in Austell in 1997. There she again made many rich friendships among the residents and staff.

She volunteered in the nursing home at Presbyterian Village and had tea parties in her apartment for nursing home patients. Over the years at the Village, she taught exercise and gave recitations, even having lost her sight.

Wherever she went, Mable made deep friendships. She was outgoing, funny, compassionate, optimistic, and kind. She loved people and they loved her. An example to everyone of practical ways to follow Jesus, she glorified God by loving and caring for her neighbors and family.

Survivors include children: Larry (Beth), Marsha (Dave Wehr), and Chris; sister, Majean Browning (Ivan); grandchildren: Emily Giordano (Robb), Anne Corbitt (Matt Weiss), Lauren Elizabeth Thorne (Jay); step grandchildren; Patricia Barber (Chip); Catherine Stubblefield (Travis); great grandchildren: Tuttle, Maggie, and Jacob Thorne, and Gwen and Silas Giordano; numerous step great grandchildren and many niece, nephews and countless friends also survive.

Funeral services were held at the Willacoochee United Methodist Church on Saturday, May 25, 20l9 at 2 p.m. with Rev. Lauri Hartley officiating. Scripture by granddaughter, Emily Giordano, Selected poems by granddaughter, Lauren Elizabeth Thorne, Mable Stories by son, Chris Corbitt, Growing up with Grandma by granddaughter, Anne Corbitt and Mable’s Life by her son, Larry Corbitt. Closing prayer was by Dane Perkins. Special music included “How Great Thou Art” and “Amazing Grace” rendered by the congregation with Beth Paulk accompanying at the piano. Prelude and Postlude music was by Beth Paulk, pianist. The interment followed in the Willacoochee City Cemetery with Charlie Bray reading the 23^rd Psalm and closing prayer by Rev. Lauri Hartley. Serving as active pallbearers were, Rob Giordano, Bill McCranie, Chip Barber, Charlie Corbitt, Matt Wiess and Jay Thorne. A memorial service is planned on Friday, May 31, at 2 p.m. at the Village Center at Presbyterian Village in Austell, GA.

Relihan Funeral Home of Pearson, Ga. was in charge of the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to one of these organizations:

Willacoochee United Methodist Church

1. O. Box 365

Willacoochee, GA 31650

Caring Hands Fund

Presbyterian Homes of Georgia

P.O. Box 957267
Duluth, GA 30095

https://www.phgainc.org/donate/