Pauline Lester Corn

Pauline Lester (Polly) Corn, 87, passed from this life on July 31, 2012. She had lived for 65 years in Radford, and more recently resided in Raleigh, N.C. Polly was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph, along with 10 brothers and sisters. Polly is survived by a daughter, Paula Sue Corn Rinehart and husband, Stacy, of Raleigh, N.C.; and son, John Corn and wife, Karen, of Columbia, Tenn.; grandchildren, Allison Rinehart Hinkle and husband, Jonathan, Brady Rinehart and wife, Hannah, Amanda Corn Bostic and husband, Randy, and Benjamin Corn; great-grandchildren, Andrew, Molly, and Will Hinkle, Reid and Kayleigh Bostic. Polly left Hurley, located in the coalfields of Southwest Virginia, in the midst of World War II, coming to Radford College in 1942, receiving a degree in accounting and being elected May Queen. She went on to teach Business for eight years at Radford High School, and was principal at Radford's McHarg Elementary for a year. She taught accounting for three years at Radford College and 19 years at Virginia Tech. For most of her time at VT, Polly served as coordinator for the Principles of Accounting course sequence. In this role, she was responsible for the preparation of course syllabi, exams, and lesson plans for over 1,000 students each quarter and mentoring Ph.D. candidates in their teaching skills.
One of her proudest accomplishments was serving on Radford's City council for 12 years, including serving as Vice-Mayor for four years. Her fiscal conservatism and no-nonsense style were well known by the residents of Radford. She also served the City for a number of years as Chairperson of Emergency Medical Service Board. She served as President of the NRVMC Hospital Auxiliary, Member of the state Board of Hospital Volunteers Association, and member of the Board of Directors for Round Meadow Country Club. She served the office of Treasurer of the Grove United Methodist church for over 20 years, and was also Treasurer for her Townhouse Association and the Radford Heritage Foundation. As a member of the Hospital auxiliary she could be found at least one day a week serving families in need in the Critical Care and Surgery lounges.
Polly was an avid golfer, enjoying immensely the time outdoors and friendships she made at all the New River Valley courses. Bridge was her passion, playing multiple times a week until very close to her death and amassing a huge library of writings on the subject. One of her last areas of service was teaching others in assisted living how to play.
The family will receive visitors on Saturday, August 4, 2012, at the Grove United Methodist church from noon to 2 p.m., with a memorial service immediately following and graveside burial at Sunrise Cemetery. DeVilbiss Funeral Home in Radford is handling the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family wishes contributions be made to the Pauline L. Corn Scholarship, University Development, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, TN 24061, or to Grove United Methodist Church in Radford.