Corbet Collins

Corbet Collins passed on Tuesday, January 22. He was born December 5, 1934, in Baxley, Georgia, to Rebecca and Sam Collins. He was the youngest of ten children. One sister remains, Arlo Collins Eagleson, 92, of St. Augustine, Florida.

Jean Collins followed Corbet Tuesday, February 5 while at Lawrence Memorial Hospital surrounded by family. Melvie Jean Wynn was born near Baxley, Georgia, August 29, 1936, to Ethel and Robert Wynn. She was the youngest of ten children as well. All of her siblings have passed.

Corbet attended Appling County High School in Georgia. The first time he met Melvie Jean, he was on crutches after a car accident. Although she was just 5’4", Jean played on the high school basketball team, excelled academically and graduated second in her class of 77 students in 1954. Corbet was scouted for a professional baseball team while in high school. The injury from the car accident prevented him from pursuing his dream of being a major-league player.

Corbet married Melvie Jean in 1956. He served in the Air Force 1954-1959 finishing up at Chanute Air Field in Rantoul, Illinois. After a short stint managing restaurants in Illinois, Corbet and Jean moved to Lawrence in 1962 to manage Sandy’s Drive-In. In 1964, they bought Henry’s Hamburgers where all 5 of their kids learned the restaurant business. They sold the property to Burger King in 1984. Jean became a realtor with Stephens Real Estate and retired in 2016. They divided their time between their cattle farm, gardening and remodeling rental houses.

Corbet was active in local politics and at one time served on the public safety committee. He loved sports. He played and coached softball for countless teams over the years. Corbet and Jean were avid bowlers and enjoyed the Lawrence leagues.

Corbet and Jean’s five kids and 11 grandkids will miss them. Please join the family to remember them both at Wayne and Larry’s on Saturday, March 2 for an open house 4-8 p.m. Online condolences may be sent at rumsey-yost.com