Mom was involved in the Maple Hill Community Congregational Church for more than 80 years, sang in the choir for 55 years, taught Sunday School for decades, served on the Board of Trustees, and was church historian for at least 20 years. She loved God, but more than that, she lived her life just the way Jesus would have wanted her to live it, helping and forgiving others.
For 73 years, Mom was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary at Maple Hill. Her father was a veteran of WWI, her brother was a veteran of WWII, as was our Uncle Leslie Justice, and my brother is an Army veteran and current member of James Elmer Romick American Legion Post in Maple Hill. She and other family members worked tirelessly to build and pay for the American Legion Hall and when it collapsed during an ice storm in her final decade, it was a crushing blow to her. She was a supporter of the Avenue of Flags at the Old Stone Church Cemetery west of Maple Hill, and never missed a Memorial Day/Decoration Day service.
She was secretary of the Maple Hill Grade School for 17 years and was much loved by the teachers and students who attended the little brick school. One of the principals, Larry Longhoffer, said that Mom was the "glue" that held the school together. She served as secretary, but she also served as a loving surrogate mother to teachers and students alike. Mom was a peacemaker. She would stand up for what she believed, but she was always trying to make right what needed attention whether it was family relationships or problems at school, church or in the community.
L to R: Standing Back - Amelia Mary Verona "Amy" Clark Allendorf and Nicholas L. Clark, Sr.
Front Row: William Henry Allendorf and Lucille "Lucy" Corbin Clark
Taken at Cincinnati, Ohio on September 9, 2005.
I could go on, but Mom's final tribute was perhaps the most telling of her character and life. More than 400 stood in line at the Piper Funeral Home to share their "Lucy Story" with myself and other family members. More than 300 attended her funeral service at the Maple Hill Community Congregational Church on January 8, 2011. Several stood and spoke of her love for God, family and country. Mom would have been so embarrassed. She always avoided the spotlight.
L-R: Lucille "Lucy" Corbin Clark and Nick L. Clark, Sr. This photo was taken in July, 2008.
I certainly wouldn't call Mom rich in today's monetary terms, but I can't begin to recall the number of people who came up to me at Mom's wake and said things like: "Your Mom bought groceries for me and my family when we didn't have any money." "Your Mom bought medicine for us when we couldn't afford it." "Your Mom took me to the doctor when I didn't have money for gas." "Your Mom loved me when I thought the world was against me." "Your Mom brought me food when I was shut in and sick." "Your Mom made me laugh when I thought I'd never laugh again." "Your Mom used to take me home from school when it was snowing or raining." "Your Mom was always there for me. When there was no where else to turn, she would always do whatever she could." "Your Mom always believed in me and defended me when no one else would." That went on for hours and our family cherished every single memory and person who came to pay their respects. Perhaps her life-long friend Merle Lietz, put it best at her funeral service: "Lucy always led the way and I don't know how in the world we're going to replace her. Thank God for her Christ-like life, for her selflessness and for her love to all."
Lucille Corbin was the oldest of the five children born to Robert and Mildred McCauley Corbin. She was born on April 22, 1921 at Elbing, Butler County, Kansas. Mom used to tell the story that when she was a little girl, she would ask her father where she came from. Grandfather Corbin would always say that they found her under one of the big leaves on a cabbage plant in their garden. Grandfather Corbin was working as an oilfield "rigger" for Standard Oil for a short time after he was married to Mildred McCauley.
Lucille Corbin in front of the Snokomo
School House about 1930.
Mom went to elementary school at Eskridge Elementary in Eskridge, Kansas and at the little stone school house at Snokomo. As an aside, my paternal great grandfather, Peter Littleton Woody donated the land for the building of this school and contributed a goodly share of the $700 it cost to build. The school is now an historic site and was restored by the Snokomo Silent Workers Club. It is used for community gatherings.
Kick'em in the knee cap, sock'em in the jaw----Maple Hill Cowgirls, Ra, Ra, Ra!!" Evidently basketball was rough then also!!
During high school, one of the boys mom dated was John Leander "Tim" Clark. After graduation and as World War II approached they were married by Rev. Kenneth Tuttle in the parsonage of the Oakland Christian Church, Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas on January 24, 1942. As with many wartime weddings, theirs was very simple and they came back to Maple Hill, where Dad's parents and sister and brother-in-law had a luncheon in their honor.
L to R: Thelma Clark and John Hedges, Mable and Jim Clark and Lucille and Tim Clark, taken January 24, 1942. In the background is the old Clements Hotel and home.
My dad was the youngest of two children. Jim and Mable Clark were married in March of 1910, and Thelma Maree was born on August 11, 1911 and my dad ten years later on April 19, 1921. My mom and dad were just four days apart in age.
My mom would often say she and Dad "lived on love" those first few years. I'm going to bring this post to an end now and save their married life for another time. Happy trails!
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