Fern Marie (Hash) Corbin Bland, 95, of Matthews, North Carolina passed away at 5:26 P.M. on Sunday November 2, 2008 at Presbyterian Hospital in Matthews, North Carolina.
Fern was born December 7, 1912, the daughter of David William and Dora Alice (Workman) Hash of Richland Township, in Greene County, Indiana. She graduated from Bloomfield High School in 1931 and Indiana University in 1935. She began her teaching career at Owensburg High School before retiring to marry Chester A. Corbin of that town in May of 1937. They raised three sons and one daughter.
In 1960, Mrs. Corbin began her second teaching career at Bloomfield Junior and Senior High School. In the summers, she returned to Indiana University and earned her Master's Degree. This teaching career spanned 22 years in which she taught classes in Math, Geometry, English, and Latin. She also served as the sponsor of the Latin Thespian Clubs and was the sponsor of the first girls' basketball team at BHS.
Mrs. Corbin retired from teaching in 1982 and started her third career when she married Kenneth Bland in October of 1983. They worshiped at the First Christian Church, where Mrs. Bland was active in the Christian Women's Fellowship. She was also a member of the Indiana Retired Teacher's Association, serving as Greene County's secretary/treasurer for several years. After Kenneth's passing in 1999, Mrs.Bland retired again, moving to North Carolina to live with her daughter and son-in-law.
Mrs. Bland was preceded in death by her parents, her first and second husbands, all her siblings, Hulda Gladys (Erwin) Ramsey of Bloomfield; brothers Roy William "Pete" Hash of Indianapolis, Troy Woodrow Hash of Bloomington, Wayne Franklin "Doc" Hash of Bloomfield and Mildred Irene (Guy Leslie) Burch of Jamestown, Indiana.
Mrs. Bland is survived by her sons David William (Barbara)Corbin Louisville, TN, Chester Duane "Chet" Corbin of Pikeville, TN and Hovey Dean (Judy) Corbin of Albuquerque, NM, and her daughter Charlotte Corbin (Bill) Barnes of Matthews, NC. Her grandchildren are Alesia Corbin and James Corbin of Louisville, TN, Deanna (Corbin) Amend, Paula (Corbin) Swailing, Hovey Dean (Alexis) Corbin Jr, Gena (corbin) Bombard all of Albuqerque, NM; Brian Corbin and Kelly (corbin) Parker of San Jose, CA; and Mary (Barnes) Guercio of Franklin, NC. Her great grandchildren are Matthew Corbin of Louisville, TN; Paul and Craig Amend, Masha Swailin, Hovey Jude Corbin, Leedy Corbin, Asher Corbin, and Taylor Bombard of Albuquerque, NM; Jacquelyn and Colin Parker of San Jose, CA. and Spencer Whitlow, Trevor Moretz and Salvatore Guercio of Wilmington and Franklin, NC. Great great grandchildren are Christopher and Gabriella Corbin of Louisville, TN. She also has many beloved nieces and nephews.
Friends may call from 4 to 8 P.M. on Thursday November 6, 2008 and 12 Noon until the hour Friday at Jenkins Funeral Home in Bloomfield.
Services will be at 1:00 P.M. on Friday November 7, 2008 at Jenkins Funeral Home in Bloomfield with Rev. John Matsel and Rev. Dave Wilde officiating. Burial will follow at Grandview Cemetery in Bloomfield.