Robert Ellen Corbin Colbert

Robert Ellen Corbin Colbert Naples, FL

Robert Ellen Corbin, aka Robert Ellen Hoke, Robert Ellen Colbert. Robert Ellen Colbert was 90 years young at the time of her death in Naples, FL. Born Robert (named for her favorite Uncle Robert) Ellen Corbin on February 6, 1920, she was one of seven children born to William Wallace Corbin and Lela Merl Donaldson Corbin at the family ranch in Tishimingo, OK, later growing up in the family home in the nearby town of Stillwater. She received a Bachelors of Fine Arts (Art major, French minor) from Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK. She also studied commercial art in Los Angeles, CA and lived in Memphis, TN during World War II, serving as a candy striper and working in the local hospital. Returning to Stillwater, OK after the war, she married her childhood sweetheart, Roy T. Hoke, Jr. in April, 1946. The couple had three children, Roy T. Hoke, III, Rebecca and Deborah. She gave art lessons after school to local Stillwater children and continued to paint in acrylics and water color. Quite proficient in the water color medium, one of her pieces placed, winning honors, in an eight-state show. After Roy's death in August 1964, she continued to live in Stillwater. Introduced by common friends, she met Lester "Tex" Colbert October 5, 1971, and married him October 5, 1972. They moved to his home in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Married 23 years, they also spent time in homes in Naples, FL and his birthplace, Oakwood, TX. After his death in 1995, she met and married E. Henry Leiphart Jr. of Atlanta, GA and Lake Toxaway, North NC, in 1997.

She was also an avid bridge player, golfer, a great dance partner and fundraiser for a variety of causes.

She is survived by her three children, Roy T. Hoke, III of Evergreen, CO, Rebecca Downs of New York City, NY, and Deborah Smith of Kentfield, CA; and five grandchildren, to whom she was known as "EeCee", Derek Smith of San Francisco, CA, Morgan and Mitchell Hoke of Evergreen, CO, and Alexia and Livia Downs of New York City, NY.