Lucy Jane (Endsley) Corbett, 77
Lucy Jane (Endsley) Corbett, 77, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008, at Brendan House in Kalispell.
She was born in Quinton, Okla., on Nov. 4, 1930, the daughter of George Belton and Ocie (Brooks) Endsley. Lucy's family moved from Oklahoma to Texas in about 1939, settling in rural east Texas. Lucy completed 11 years of schooling, marrying a few weeks prior to graduation.
On March 3, 1949, she married Robert Lee Corbett at Linden, Texas. Robert was in the Army, and his career meant the family would make many moves until his retirement in 1962. The moves included duty in New Jersey, the Philippines, California, Alabama, Texas and Okinawa, Japan, so Lucy's children were born in far-flung places.
After Robert's retirement from the Army, the family came back home to rural east Texas, settling on a small farm. There were difficult times because of Robert's poor health and disability related to his military service. Lucy faced many obstacles, including caring for her youngest daughter, Penny, who was born with severe developmental problems. Through it all, she kept the family together, passing on to each one some of the good qualities she possessed. Lucy loved helping others, often sacrificing her own needs to serve family and friends in need.
She loved to travel, and in her later years was able to take several cross-country trips by plane, bus and automobile with her sisters and sister-in-law. She loved to entertain family and friends with her stories, which she could embellish better and better over time.
Over the years Lucy compiled several cookbooks and was always searching for new recipes. Hundreds of church friends enjoyed her delicious cooking, which she loved to share at church socials. She enjoyed quilting, gardening, canning, tracing the family history and catalog shopping.
Lucy was a member for many years of Worldwide Church of God, and later of United Church of God. In her last few months it was remarkable to witness the spiritual growth Lucy was granted, as she was able to "lay aside the cares of this life and look forward with full assurance of faith to the eternal life that will follow."
A verse that applies now to Lucy Corbett is in 2 Timothy 4:8: "Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved His appearing."
She was preceded in death by her father, George Belton Endsley, and her mother Ocie (Brooks) Endsley; husband, Robert Lee Corbett; two sisters, Georgia Lundy and Inez Vickery; and a brother, Neely Endsley.
Lucy is survived by all seven of her children, Joyce Shelton of Linden, Texas, Roc Corbett of Bigfork, Robert Corbett of Woodland, Wash., Rebecca Francis of Atlanta, Texas, Jabez Corbett of Portland, Richard Corbett of Rock Hill, S.C., and Penny Corbett of Brenham, Texas. Lucy is also survived by 14 grandchildren; and 28 great-grandchildren; she is also survived by her siblings, Cranford Endsley of Marshall,Texas, Guyola Carr of Conroe, Texas, Greathel Corman of Avinger, Texas, Almeta Lee of Mineral Wells, Texas; and a sister-in-law, Mammie Ruth Endsley of Gary, Texas.
Memorial services for Lucy will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 29, at Johnson Mortuary chapel, with Glen White officiating. There will be no visitation. Urn burial will be afterward in C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery in Kalispell. There will be a memorial service at a later date in Texas for her numerous family and friends there.
Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Lucy's family. You are invited to go to www.johnsonmortuary.com to offer condolences and sign Lucy's guest book.