Mary Corrales, 81, of Valdosta, Ga., formerly of McKenzie, died Saturday, March 7, 2009 at Langdale Hospice House. A native of McKenzie, she was born Oct. 19, 1927, the daughter of the late G.D. and Lilly Viola Coleman Booker. Mrs. Corrales was a very active member of the First United Methodist Church where she sang in the Chancel Choir and served on the Administrative Board. She formerly worked as a secretary for Emory Bass and later worked for Slocum Insurance and Real Estate as the office manager and as an insurance sales agent for many years.
She later joined the Herndon Company as a property manager. She was a member of the Valdosta Board of Realtors, and was past president of and active in the National Federation of Business and Professional Women. She served on the Georgia Women’s Political Caucus and was past chairperson for the Lowndes County Democratic Party Executive Committee. Mrs. Corrales was also past president for the American Cancer Society of Lowndes County.
Survivors include her daughters, Linda Jo Chewning of Valdosta, Lee Ann Corrales of Valdosta; stepson, Edward Joseph Corrales of Bergen, New Hampshire; son-in-law, Brian Peters of Lake Park; sister, Ruth Huckabee of Saraland; brother, James Booker of Evergreen; grandchildren, William Bryan Johnson of Valdosta, Mark Johnson of Columbus, Ohio, Brian Peters, Zachary Peters of Lake Park, Austin Chewning of Camp LeJuene, N.C., Jimmy Peters of Lake Park and Stephanie Bradford of Naylor. Also surviving are eight great-grandchildren, Brittney Johnson, Ashley Johnson of Ludlow, Ky.; Kaleigh Bradford of Naylor, Cindy Lou Peters, Ashlea Peters, Ansley Chewning of Lake Park, Alex Johnson of Valdosta, Bryan Michael Johnson of Athens, and numerous nieces, nephews and many special friends. Mrs. Corrales was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Dolbear Corrales Jrs., daughter, Cynthia Peters and son-in-law, Richard Chewning, and several brothers and sisters.
Funeral services were held at 4 p.m. Monday, March 9, 2009 at First United Methodist Church. The Rev. Thomas Mason and Reverend Diane Shedd officiated. The family received friends at the Carson McLane Funeral Home on Sunday evening from 4-6 p.m. A committal was to be held at a later date at McLane Riverview Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Parkinson’s Foundation, Inc. 1501 NW 9th Ave. /Bob Hope Road, Miami, FL 33136-1494 or to LAMP. Condolences to the family may be made at www.mclanefuneralservices.com.