FRANKLIN—Elizabeth Mason Corbin, 92, passed away on August 20, 2014 in Franklin, Virginia. She was born on February 5, 1922 in Newsoms, Virginia to the late Mr. and Mrs. Peter and Queenie Hawkins. She attended Southampton County Training School. Elizabeth became a member of Mount Tabor Baptist Church, in Newsoms, Virginia at an early age. Her oldest son Melvin A. Mason was born August 23, 1940. Elizabeth decided to leave Southampton County, because she says, couldn’t Pick Cotton.

Elizabeth moved to Baltimore, Maryland when she was a young woman and attended Saint Paul Institute in Baltimore for her Practical Nursing License. She found work at the Catholic Nursing Retirement Home, in Stevensville, MD. While in transit to her job, she met Mr. John Tyler who she married until his passing 1961.

Her love for children led her to become a foster mother in 1962. She raised 22 children for the State of Maryland. Between years of 1962-1971, Elizabeth adopted four boys Jimmy, Ronnie, David and later, she was engaged and married Mr. William E. Corbin. Elizabeth would often load the station wagon up with her children and time to time bring everyone to family gathering here in Southampton County and Franklin. While in Maryland, she worked at various jobs including being a bus and truck driver while caring for her children.

Elizabeth continued to work in the church, Gillis Memorial for 27 years in the missionary and nursing unit. She cruised the oceans 16 times and has traveled to all the 50 states in the USA except Hawaii. After raising her children and losing her second husband, Mr. William Corbin, Elizabeth decided to move from Baltimore, Maryland back to Franklin, Virginia in 1987 to be close to her mother. She was employed by the Hassetts family in Franklin as a caregiver.

Elizabeth became a member of the new Mount Zion Baptist Church in Franklin, Virginia assisting with the formation of the Pastor’s Aids and children care unit. Her life of membership included the Order of the Eastern Star, House Hold of Ruth, Sweet Beuahland, United Order of Tenth, and Lovely Ladies Club of Franklin, VA.

She is survived by her sons James Fisher Corbin and his wife Keshia, Ronnie Green Corbin and his wife Martha, David John Corbin and his wife Karen, Arthur Moore Corbin, sister Mrs. Elmira Grant and husband Pete Grant, 13 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.