Herbie Garland Corder

Herbie Garland Corder, of Gulfport, MS, passed away early Christmas morning, at the age of 86.

Born to C.E. and Nona Corder in Benton, MS on October 5, 1939, Herbie enjoyed a rural life with his family and grandparents. A childhood tragedy took the life of his younger brother, Scotti, but a little sister came along, named Mary Bob. A few years later, the family moved to the Mississippi Coast.

Herbie was involved in football throughout his school years and remained a lifelong Saints fan as well. He enjoyed boating, tinkering with old outboard motors, old cars and such. His greatest passions included gun collecting and competitive horsemanship. He served 20 years as Captain of the Harrison County Mounted Patrol and planted the idea for the Harrison County Fairground Complex on County Farm Road.

He was known in the community for those interests, as well as for his entrepreneurial spirit. Herbie owned several businesses over his life span which landed him some peculiar nicknames, such as “The Ragman” and “The Vinyl Lady”. (That might take some explanation, but we’ll hold that for another time.)

Herbie was first married to Diane Vinson of Gulfport, daughter of Jack and Ila Vinson. He and Diane had three children; Rick Corder, their only capable child (Lee Ann), Robin Stewart, their only smart child (Gary, not the country music singer), and Ron Corder, their only good-looking child (Beth). He has four grandchildren; Amanda Ladner (Neil), Bryan Corder (Liz), Alana Gaskins (Mitchell), Jaimee Bruce (Jake), and a whole pile of great grandchildren.

He later married Glenda Sudduth of Gulfport and raised two step-children; Shay Sudduth and Ben Sudduth (April). Step-grandchildren include Dillon, Dalton, Gracie and John.

Beside all these immediate family members, Herbie is survived by his sister Mary Bob Kramer of the Villages in Florida, his niece, Scotti Lucas of Sanford, FL, and his nephew Tim Blaine (who used to look like Tom Selleck, but that all faded away) of Hinckley, OH. He also has a few cousins living in Carrolton, MS; Edward Melvin Corder (Ann), Faye Carter and Sue Duke, as well as Annette Guion and Lisa Guion Hood, of Benton, MS.

Herbie was known for his humor, his work ethic and his generosity. He was no stranger to pain, struggle, failure and success. He lived during the golden years of America and proudly flew the American flag from his front porch daily. Most importantly, however, Herbie put his faith in Christ as his savior four years ago this past August. What else needs to be said?

We’ll always love you, Pop. You were the best!

In lieu of flowers, Herbie wanted everyone to send cash to his children.

Visitation will be Wednesday, December 31, 2025, from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m. followed by a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. at the O’Neal Road location of Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home. Interment will be in Finley Cemetery.

Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home, O’Neal Road, Gulfport, is honored to serve the family of Herbie Garland Corder.