Isiah Corbett

Isiah Corbett passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by family, on March 5, 2026.  He was a devoted husband to Gertie Mae Corbett and a loving father to Dorian Isiah and Nichelle Pleshette Corbett.  

He was born on January 18, 1943 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, a son of the late Charles and Rose (Noon) Corbett. 

Isiah, also loving known as Ike and Neg.   He lived a life that reflected his deep commitment to service, honor, and family. His life was shaped by his parents, siblings, and many relatives as well as growing up on “the farm.” 

Noon and Charles Corbett had six children: Charles Henry (Hoot), Josie Mae (Jo), Sally Jo, Isiah (Ike), David Lee, and Ronald (Jim).  It was a hard yet enriching life growing up on the farm.  Through their hard work and faith, they found a way to get by.  The family were sharecroppers on a small farm in Myrtle Beach.  The house had no indoor plumbing, so they experienced pumping water, outhouses, and heat from a fireplace.  They were a tight-knit family shaped by hard work, strong community ties, and faith.  His dad, Charles worked the farm as well as helping out at Myrtle Beach’s historic Ice House.  His mom Noon worked as a maid in what was then Myrtle Beach’s growing hospitality industry.

Charles dutifully provided for the family.  Noon was the matriarch that was the driving force for family values.  Noon was engaging, kind, warm, and full of love.  She had a compelling presence…making an impression on virtually everyone she encountered.   Noon was earnest in all she did…even as a maid.  Those qualities permeated Isiah and all his siblings.

Isiah was brain and brawn.  He was the valedictorian of his high school class and a star running back on the football team.  He played the saxophone in the band and regaled many with his melodious voice.  His father-in-law Freeman nicknamed him Nat King Cole…always ready…no warmup needed to belt out a song.  Isiah was also clever.  He observed early in his childhood that the best job on the farm was not being in the fields using your manual labor.  Driving a tractor was “the job” to be had.  So, he learned to drive a tractor, by his account, as soon as he was able to reach the pedals…and claimed that as his place of duty. 

Isiah won a football scholarship to Texas Southern University.  One of his friends relayed that Isiah was good enough to make it to the Pros.  Of course that is an exaggeration, but it illustrates the magnitude of the talent he had.  He attended Texas Southern studying Mathematics for just over a semester when he left college to join the Air Force to provide for his soon to be wife Gertie Mae and his son.  Throughout his life he never uttered a word of regret about what could have been had he completed his college and football career.  Isiah told his wife, his elementary school yard friend and high school sweetheart, upon their marriage that she may not be able to get all the fancy clothes that her mom and Aunt Rowena provided her, but that she would get what she needed…and everything will be all right.  And after more than 75 years together, their lives turned out “more than all right.”

On February 24, 1963, Isiah professed his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ at South San Antonio Baptist Church in San Antonio, Texas being baptized on that day. 

Isiah took to his Air Force career as earnestly as he did with all other endeavors earning outstanding Noncommissioned Officer of the quarter and year awards throughout his career.   His career spanned cargo logistics, dining hall management, a steward for executive aircraft missions that shuttled senior government officials, and security police operations.  Isiah would often cite while cooking for the family that he cooked and served for Kings and Queens.  As a steward in the 89th Airlift Wing he served such notables as the King of Jordan Hussein bin Talal and his wife Queen Noor; Henry Kissinger and his companion Marlo Thomas; First Lady Betty Ford, et al.  He retired after 20 years as a Senior Master Sergeant.  He was quite proud of his service. 

After Isiah retired from the Air Force, he enrolled at Prince George’s Community College to gain the personal satisfaction of continuing the college pursuit that was interrupted two decades prior.  He received an Associate Degree in Business Administration.  He then embarked on a second career as a driver for executives at a law firm.  Even in that role he continued to make an impression on those around him.  It was common for the firm partners to offer Isiah use of their vacation homes in Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard, and tickets to the Washington Redskins games ---something typically reserved for the lawyers.  Just another example of how being earnest and caring in all you do reaps rewards.

Isiah and Gertie Mae had an open-door policy in the many homes they established over the years.  Isiah and Gert opened their home to countless relatives over the years…giving them a place to stay as they made life transitions.  Isiah always endeavored to make them feel welcome.  His love language was service which came in the form of cooking.   Isiah made sure his guests were well fed…doing his magic in the kitchen. 

Isiah loved his family.  Nothing was better to him than hanging out with brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews, Brunsons, McKings, Hollomans, Graingers and his friends…while cooking, dancing, singing, reminiscing…and yes, consuming a bit of adult beverages.  We remember fondly the soundtrack of his life with music ranging from the O’Jays, Stylistics, Chi-Lites, to Marvin Gaye.

Isiah Corbett, Ike, Neg 

His was a life well lived with an abundance of joy. 

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