W. Ralph Corbett's Obituary
Ralph Corbett passed away, Friday evening, January 12, 2024, at the age of 92.
Ralph was born on the family farm June 7, 1931, in Manor, Georgia. He was the 6th of 7 living children born to William and Viola Corbett. From age 5, he was a working family member on the farm. Before breakfast, the cows had to be milked and fire set in the stove so his mother could fix breakfast. Ralph helped raise and pick tobacco, cotton, sugar cane, potatoes, and many other vegetables. Until he graduated from high school, he worked on the farm, played baseball, or finished schoolwork. Until the early 1950’s there was no electricity. All work was done by hand or tractor, and for illumination they used kerosene lamps. AT the end of the farm season, the family purchased a battery for the radio.
Upon his graduation from high school, Ralph’s eldest brother took him to the nearest Air Force Recruiting office to sign up. He trained as a navigator and served in the Korean War. His two eldest brothers had served in World War II.
Ralph was married to Susan Weiland Corbett for 39 years. He leaves behind a daughter, Laura Sue, and a son Alan. He has 3 stepchildren Dave, Karen, and Laura Jane. There are nine grandchildren and five great grandchildren. He had been in multiple areas of plumbing his entire professional life.
Ralph’s lifelong passions were gardening, cooking, and care of all our blended family’s grandchildren. The grandchildren looked forward to his friend okra, chili, fried chicken as well as lots of smoked meats. He loved to grill and feed all of us.
We mourn the loss of our beloved Ralph to COVID after a long battle with dementia. He was a veteran who served his country with distinction during the Korean War.
Ralph was born at home, 6th of 7 children on the family farm in Manor, Georgia during the Great Depression. A true southern gentleman and “slicker than a pot of Okra”. He was a man of faith who was a skilled tall tale teller, with many tales getting taller in the telling. As a steward of the land, Ralph was an amazing gardener, and his gardens would be an oasis for a myriad of birds, butterflies, and hummers. He spent a career as a successful plumber as a self-described “flush-ologist”.
He was a natural caregiver whose famous old South cooking with iron skillets helped feed multiple generations. He is survived by his sister Virginia, wife of 39 years Susan, his children Laura Sue, Alan, David, Karen, and Laura Jane, along with numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, and countless friends. He will be greatly missed but never forgotten.
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