Lillie Watkins Corbett
February 24, 1928 ~ September 24, 2023
TARBORO – Lillie Watkins Corbett, beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on September 24, 2023, at the age of 95. She was predeceased by her parents, David Watkins and Eula Winders Watkins, as well as her brothers, John and Leroy Watkins, her sister, Julia Bunn, her husband, Boyd Clayton Corbett, her daughter, Carol Russ Bonner and her granddaughter, Melissa Langley Wise. She is survived by her daughters, Cheryl Russ Langley of Rocky Mount, Cynthia Gay Corbett-Cyrus (Randy) of Rocky Mount and her son, James Frederick Russ (Peggy) of Tarboro, as well as her sister, Lucille Watkins Locke-Culpepper of Rocky Mount, 11 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and 10 great great-grandchildren.
Born on February 24, 1928, Lillie led a remarkable life filled with love, compassion and dedication to her family. She quit school in the 9th grade to help her mother take care of the family of five children. Despite the challenges, she possessed an incredible talent for numbers and could add a column of numbers faster than any calculator. Throughout her life, she held various jobs including positions at Rocky Mount Cord, Burlington Mills, Sears, and JCPenney. However, her most cherished role was that of a devoted farmer’s wife. She supported her husband and worked tirelessly creating a warm and loving home for her family. She was a loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, great great-grandmother, aunt, and friend. Her greatest joy came from spending time with her family, creating lasting memories through laughter, shared meals and heartfelt conversations. She was the source of unconditional love. She sang the “Ice Cream Song” to all her grandchildren, and they will forever cherish those precious moments and share them with future generations.
Lillie Watkins Corbett will be deeply missed but never forgotten. Her legacy of love, kindness and selflessness will continue to inspire those who had the privilege of knowing her. May she find eternal peace in the embrace of her loved ones who have gone before her.
Due to the rise of COVID in the community, the family will have a private family service to include our Spring Arbor family, our Hospice of Nash family and most importantly her loving and compassionate caregiver family: Bradee, Portia, and Tina.
A Celebration of Lillie’s Life will be held on Sunday, October 1, 2023, at 2:00 PM in the Chapel of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services with Rev. Keith Griffin officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Edgecombe County Animal Shelter, c/o: Edgecombe County Sheriff’s Office, PO Box 219, Tarboro, NC 27886 in the memo line write animal shelter.
Rest in peace, dearest Lillie. Your presence will forever be felt in our hearts.
Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.
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Christina McOwen
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Dear Grandma,
My last words to you were, “I love you” and “Thank you” a few moments later you were gone.
Thank you, Grandma, for being the rock of our family, for being the pillar of strength we all leaned on during times of joy and sorrow. Your unwavering love and support have shaped me into the person I am today, and I am eternally grateful for all the ways you helped me become the best version of myself.
You were undoubtedly my biggest cheerleader, and I hope that you are watching from heaven, proud of the decisions I make and the path I carve for myself. Your faith in me, even when I doubted myself, was a constant reminder of the incredible power of unconditional love.
Today, I carry your love and teachings within me. I strive to be compassionate, kind, and resilient, just like you were. I cherish the memories we shared, the laughter and tears that bound us together, and I find solace knowing that your love continues to surround me, even in your absence.
Thank you, Grandma, for your unconditional love, for being the source of inspiration and support in my life. You have left an indelible mark on my heart, and I am forever grateful for the privilege of being your grandchild.
With all my love,
Chris