Mary Charlie Patterson Corpening passed away peacefully in Charleston, S.C. with family surrounding her on January 7, 2021. She was born on April 11, 1932, the daughter of Baxter Holt Patterson and Willie Mae Moore Patterson of Youngsville, N.C.
Mary Charlie graduated from Wake Forest College with a double major in Music and Religion. While at Wake Forest, she met the love of her life, and upon graduation, married Dr. Albert Newton Corpening, Jr. The couple lived in Winston-Salem where she taught music while her husband attended Wake Forest Bowman-Gray School of Medicine.
Mary Charlie returned to Youngsville with Bert where he opened his medical practice and she devoted herself to her family, church, and community. Mary Charlie was a loving wife and mother, and was deeply committed to her faith and to Youngsville Baptist Church where she was Music and Choir Director for over 50 years. Mary Charlie taught Sunday school and served as a Deacon. She was recognized as Women of the Year three times by the Women’s Club of Youngsville. She was a member of the Wake Forest Book Club. Mary Charlie led the Youngsville Red Cross Blood Mobile blood drive for many years, and served many charitable organizations.
Mary Charlie is survived by her daughter, Kelly Corpening Thornton and her husband, Robert Taylor Thornton III, of Canton, Ga.; son, Charles Albert Corpening, and his wife, Sally Pierce Corpening, of Winston-Salem, N.C.; daughter, Camille Corpening Klass, and her husband, Hillary Briggs Klass, of Charleston, S.C.; her grandchildren, Taylor Thornton Buckley, Mary Carter Thornton Pugh, William Pierce Corpening, Charles Allen Corpening, Christian Penn Klass, Dixon Briggs Klass, and great-grandchildren, Reagan Grace Buckley, Finley Stowe Buckley, and Quinlin Faye Buckley.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Dr. Albert Newton Corpening, Jr.
A private graveside service will be held in Youngsville, N.C.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Youngsville Baptist Church, 315 E. Main Street, Youngsville, N.C. 27596: or Wake Forest College Birthplace Society, P. O. Box 494, Wake Forest, N.C. 27588.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center. (919-556-5811)
