John Corbin

Family-Placed Death Notice

JOHN WOODROW CORBIN John Woodrow Corbin passed away Sept. 9, 2006 following a short illness surrounded by the family he so dearly loved. Woody has been a member of Lawrenceville First Baptist Church since 1932 and a member of Atlanta's Post 134 American Legion since the early '50's. He was 1934 class president of Lawrenceville High and also attended Atlanta Law School. Mr. Corbin was born Nov. 12, 1916 in Lawrenceville to Honor and Mary Durham Corbin, His father told him he was almost named "California Woodrow" after Woodrow Wilson, who was elected President of the United States on Nov. 7, 1916, when California came in with the deciding vote. Woody's family traces its roots back to the 1800's in Lawrenceville. His grandparents, Soloman and Emma Corbin lived on E. Pike Street on Corbin farmland that is now Rhodes Jordan Park. Woody's great-great grandfather, Ira Allen Corbin, served with the Confederate Army Unit Gwinnett Independent Blues in the Army of Northern Virginia, commanded by Gen. Robert E. Lee. Ira Corbin was wounded July 3, 1863 at the Battle of Gettysburg and wounded a second time at Spotsylvania, Virginia at the Battle of Bloody Angle May 12, 1864, Capt. John "Woody" Corbin served his country during WWII as an Army Air Force flight instructor attaining 1,970 flying hours, On Nov. 18, 1945 Woody married Betty Shelby, a beautiful brunette he had met while instructing at a base in Newport, Arkansas. They settled in Atlanta where Woody worked in the hotel business. He brought a keen managerial style to the Dinkler Hotels where he enjoyed 15 years of service and another 8 years at The Georgian Terrace. Betty's home state beckoned and Woody took a position as manager of The Little Rock Country Club for 10 years. Woody and Betty returned to Lawrenceville and became the owners of the Lawrenceville Dairy Queen, a business Woody's father had built in the 1950's. Mr. Corbin was preceded in death by his Parents: Honor & Mary Corbin; Brother: Willis A. Corbin; Sister Rose Corbin Cowsert; Son-in-law Col. Arthur T. Hoffson. He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Betty; Children: Susan Hoffson, John Shelby Corbin, David Bruce Corbin, Cynthia and Harvey Leake, Sr.; Grandchildren: Brian Arthur Hoffson of West Palm Beach, Florida, Laura and Casey Laws, Harvey Leake, Jr., Daniel Woodrow Leake; Great-Grandchildren: James Edmund Laws and Caroline Grace Laws; Brother: Richard Durham "Dick" Corbin, Savannah, GA; Niece: Rosemary Harrison; Great-Nephew: Alex Harrison and many other Nieces and Nephews. Dr. Lamar Holley will lead a celebration of Woody's life on Sept. 13, 2006 at 2:00 PM in the Lawrenceville Chapel of Tim Stewart Funeral Home. Entombment will follow the service at Gwinnett Memorial Park. Visitation will be on Sept. 12, 2006 from 6 - 8 PM. Memorial gifts may be made in Woody's memory to the Lawrenceville First Baptist Church "Foundations For The Future", P. O. Box 228, Lawrenceville, GA. 30046. Tim Stewart Funeral Home, 300 Simonton Rd. Lawrenceville, GA. 30045. 770-962-3100. Please sign online guest registry www.stewartfh.com