Obituary of Helen Corpening

Mrs. Helen Mack Corpening, 91, of Greensboro, died Sunday, February 5, 2012. Viewing will be Friday, February 10th from 11:00 to 12:00 A.M., and the funeral service will begin at 12:00, at Union Baptist Church, 1200 Trade Street, Winston-Salem, NC, with Dr. Sir Walter Mack officiating. Burial will follow at Lakeview Memorial Park in Greensboro, NC. Mrs. Corpening was born June 10, 1920 in Forsyth County to Eddie Dale and Lula Petree Mack. She graduated from Atkins High School in Winston-Salem and was married for over 70 years to the late Elder Robert Corpening. She was a devoted and loving mother of 12, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Mrs. Corpening is survived by sons: Benjamin (Paulette) Corpening, Jerry (Wilma) Corpening, Walter Corpening, Christopher Corpening; daughters: Louella (Frank) Bailey, Annie Rose Corpening, Shirley Corpening, Robin (George) Strayhorn, Helen (Roger) Williamson, Velma (Al) Jones, and Cheryl Corpening; daughter-in-law Clara Corpening; brother, Hiawatha Mack; 23 grandchildren, and 35 great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her son, Franklin Corpening; grandson, Christopher Corpening; and six brothers and five sisters. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 P.M., Thursday, February 9th, at Lambeth-Troxler Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care of Greensboro, 2500 Summit Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27405. Mother Corpening was the ideal mother--not only to her own children, but to many. Her husband and she agreed that she would work at home to rear and care for their children. It was not an easy job because she worked around the clock nonstop. Cleaning the house, preparing three meals each day, washing, ironing, sewing, nursing the sick, and soothing the hurts were among her many daily tasks. She always managed to get the job done, yet she found time to entertain and teach her little ones. She cultured them with story-telling, Mother Goose rhymes, poetry, singing, dancing, and her own funny comical acts. A homemaker was her profession, and she was a professional in every essence of the word. "Yes, she made our house a real home." Two adjectives that describe Mother Corpening best are loving and generous. She loved despite how unlovable a person could be. She gave without caring that it was her last bit to give. She took much pleasure in making others happy. She lived for others, denying herself. "That's how it is with God's love, once you've experienced it. You spread His love to everyone, and trust that everyone will pass it on." In conclusion, it is quite fitting to add that Mother Corpening was packed and ready for her journey home. She had made reservations for the trip many years ago. Just days before returning to our heavenly Father, she told her children not to worry and not to cry. She was enrobed in peace and tranquility, radiating with the blessed assurance, and glowing with the beauty of His grace. The obituary and online condolences may be made to www.lambethtroxlerfuneralhome.com