Rosebud Corker

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Funeral services for Sister Rosebud Philyaw Corker, 96, of Decatur County, were held Saturday, July 11 at 11 a.m. at Mount Moriah No. 1 Missionary Baptist Church in Climax, with Rev. Douglas Barber officiating and Rev. John Neal serving as eulogist. Interment followed in the cemetery of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Attapulgus, with deacons and trustees of Mount Moriah No. 1 M.B.C. serving as active pallbearers.

Sister Corker was the Founder of the City-Wide Ushers in Bainbridge, President of the Negro Women Council, first black woman to own a fleet of taxi services in Decatur County, owner of the Friendly Café on Broad Street for many years, was affiliated with the Order of the Eastern Star, a Masonic auxilary organization, and worked as a private duty nurse for many years.

Mrs. Corker was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Corker Sr.; her brothers, Wallie D. Philyaw and Nathaniel Philyaw, and a sister.

Email newsletter signup

Survivors include Dr. Earnest Corker of Fort Valley, Ga., John Shoats of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.,; grandchildren whom she raised: Hayward Jr. of Minneapolis, Minn., Hazel Hayes of Hahira, Ga., Michael Corker of Bainbridge and Ronnie Corker of Clearwater, Fla.; her namesake, Rosebud Wilson of Tallahassee, Fla., two sisters-in-law, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Guyton Brothers Funeral Home was in charge of funeral arrangements.