Mary Corbin House

Mary Corbin House, 89, of Batesville died peacefully Monday, February 2, 2015, with her loving family by her side. She was born April 7, 1925, in Clay, Kentucky. She is survived by her daughter, Dianne House Lamberth and husband Marcus Hughes Lamberth of Batesville; step-daughter, Penelope House Duncan and husband Wendell Loys Duncan of El Cajon, California; sisters, Lonna Ann Corbin McKenzie of Wabeno, Wisconsin, and Winifred "Tess" Rupe of Buena Park, California; a brother, Marcus Clark Corbin and sister-in-law, Ann Lunsford Corbin of St. Louis, Missouri; a brother-in-law, Edward Lisle House and sister-in-law Verlene Hinson House of Batesville. Mary is also survived by four grandchildren, Lauren Lamberth Patterson and husband, David Nelson Patterson, Marcus Lance Lamberth and wife, Kimberly Treadway Lamberth, Christopher Howard Duncan, Matthew Loys Duncan and wife, Kirsten Frank Duncan; 12 great-grandchildren, Georgia Caroline, Scarlett Annaleese, Virginia Gray and David Daniel Patterson, Marcus Howard Lamberth, Victoria Emilee and Madelyn Grace Vance, Ethan Loys, Aiden Robert and Nolan Frank Duncan, Ryan Howard and Meaghan Ann Duncan; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Howard L. House; her parents, Lonnie James Corbin and Georgia Alma Clark Corbin; brother-in-law Larry McKenzie; sisters-in-law, Hilda Warford and Dorothy Snyder; brothers-in-law, Charles Warford and Gilbert Snyder. Mary was a member of what Tom Brokaw called "the greatest generation" that sacrificed at home and abroad during World War II in which she was an Army nurse. Mary and Howard were married in 1948 then moved from Paducah, Kentucky to Batesville, Arkansas, in 1953 to begin a life of community involvement with an undying entrepreneurial spirit that changed the landscape of Independence County and many lives in the process. She was a devoted wife and business partner while also pursuing a passion of nursing and working with Dr. F.Q. Wyatt; but her major passion in life was that of a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Mary had a keen interest in the political system and became highly engaged in politics. She began as a member of the Independence County Central Committee then moved quickly into state politics. She chaired the Bumpers for Senate Campaign in 1974, was vice chair of the Democratic State Committee and member of the Arkansas Democratic Executive Committee and involved in various capacities with the National Democratic Conventions for some 20 years. Her service to the Democratic Party earned her the Gressie Carnes Award for Outstanding Service. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, a charter member and past president of the Batesville Junior Auxiliary, a member of the Women's Advisory Committee of the White River Medical Center and a member of the Oaklawn Cemetery Committee. Mary was also a member and past president of Chapter BQ of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, and a member of the Committee of One Hundred. She was a longtime supporter of Lyon College and a charter member of its President's Council. Along with her husband, she was instrumental in the founding of First Community Bank of Batesville, The Course at Eagle Mountain and a number of business and philanthropic endeavors. She was a duplicate bridge player of considerable skill and equal enthusiasm. Mary loved her Lord, family and her friends. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 7, 2015, at the First United Methodist Church in Batesville with arrangements by Roller-Crouch Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be Marcus Hughes Lamberth, Marcus Lance Lamberth, Marcus Howard Lamberth, David Nelson Patterson, David Daniel Patterson and John Gray Lamberth. Memorials may be given to White River Medical Center, 1710 Harrison Street, Batesville, AR 72501; Lyon College, P.O. Box 2317, Batesville, Ark. 72503; First United Methodist Church, 615 Main Street, Batesville, Ark. 72501; and Arkansas Children's Hospital, #1 Children's Way, Little Rock, Ark. 72202. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.