Francis Marion "F.M." Corbett

Francis Marion “F.M.” Corbett, 81, went home to be with the Lord, surrounded by his loving family, on Thursday, March 10, 2016 after a debilitating illness.F.M., a son of the late Robert Lee and Callie Lillian Smith Corbett, was born on August 30, 1934 in Farmville, NC. Those who will cherish his memory include his loving wife of 61 years, Shirley Tugwell Corbett, his daughter and son-in-law, Sharon and Larry Norris of Florence, his son and daughter-in-law, Johnny and Cammie Corbett of Dillon, SC, and his son and daughter-in-law, Marc and Amy Corbett of Lynchburg, VA.He was “Papa” to his grandchildren, Laura Norris of Florence, Callie Norris Miller and her husband James Miller of Pittsburgh, PA, Johnny Corbett, Jr. of Florence, Follin Corbett Caulder and her husband Keith Caulder, Malik, Madaline ,Phillip, Julius, and Jasmine Corbett of Dillon, SC , Caroline and Jameson Corbett of Lynchburg, VA.F.M. was “G-Pa” to his great-grandchildren Elijah and Camlynn Caulder and Kinsley Page.F.M. has one surviving sister, Linda Grove of Williamsburg, VA and was “Uncle Bud” to several special nieces and nephews.In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his two sisters, Joyce Corbett Brown and Faye Corbett Herring and his two brothers, Dalton Lee Corbett and James Earl Corbett as well as several nieces and nephews. F.M., affectionately called “Cotton,” was a graduate of Farmville High School and began to work there with his dad in the sawmill/logging business. He was an expert builder and honed his skills over his lifetime teaching many others, especially his sons and son-in-law, who are all carrying on this legacy today.Although he did not have formal education beyond high school, he brilliantly used his common sense, Godly wisdom, and a hard work ethic to help him succeed.He moved his family to Florence in 1966 to work in Home Improvement with Sears Roebuck and Company, where he used his excellent building skills and expertise to help others. He retired in 1992 after receiving many top honors for sales excellence in the Sears Southern Territory.After retirement, he continued to work in building, remodeling and real estate projects for his family and others. Most important to F.M. was his faith in Jesus Christ and his love for his family.He was a charter member of South Florence Baptist Church and faithfully served there for 25 years, assisting in their first three building projects.Beginning in 1990, he served the Lord at the Florence Baptist Temple in many areas including the music ministry, as a deacon, and in the Reformers Unanimous Program. F.M. enjoyed fishing, swimming, traveling and vacationing with his family.F.M. could tell a story that made everyone around roll with laughter.He loved life and lived it to its fullest, even when faced with many challenges.Though his illness limited his mobility, it never limited his love or sense of humor.We will miss his laugh and stories until we’re reunited with him. Words cannot adequately express the depths of our love and gratitude to Randy Warr for his loving care and faithful service to “Mr. F.M.” over the past 4 years.The family would also like to express gratitude to all those affiliated with McLeod Hospice for their care and compassion and to the many caregivers that provided excellent care during F.M.’s illness. Funeral services will be held at Florence Baptist Temple on Monday, March 14, 2016 at 1:00PM, with burial immediately following at the Florence Memorial Gardens.The family will receive friends at the Stoudenmire Dowling Funeral Home on Sunday afternoon, March 13, 2016 from 5-7:00 PM. Memorials may be made to the “Reformers Unanimous Ministry,” a ministry that F.M. loved and served at the Florence Baptist Temple, PO Box 12809, Florence, SC 29504. Stoudenmire Dowling Funeral Home is assisting the family.An online guestbook is available at www.stoudenmiredowling.com.