A senate RESOLUTION

 

TO EXPRESS PROFOUND SORROW UPON THE PASSING OF Joseph Marion Corbett AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Joseph Marion Corbett on March 15, 2026; and

 

Whereas, a native of Orangeburg, Mr. Corbett was born on November 15, 1953, to parents Francis Fay (Tally) Corbett and Ophelia Tyler Corbett; and

 

Whereas, Mr. Corbett began his career as a firefighter with the Neeses Volunteer Fire Department and continued to serve for over thirty-five years in various capacities. He enjoyed helping with fundraisers to generate funding for the fire department, such as fried chicken suppers and the Neeses Mushroom Festival, serving as parade chairman from 1983-1991. He served during the transition from the fire contract system to a Countywide Fire Service system. This transition resulted in Neeses obtaining a new fire station, a new fire truck, and updated firefighting equipment; and

 

Whereas, Mr. Corbett volunteered his time and energy as a member of the Neeses Adopt-A-Highway Group that has won several awards for their litter-collecting efforts. For over thirty-five years, he served as a member of the Town of Neeses Cemetery Committee and as a commissioner of the town's Zoning Board of Appeals. He also served as a member of the Orangeburg County Fire Board; and

 

Whereas, Mr. Corbett was first elected to Neeses Town Council in 1987 and was elected as mayor of Neeses on April 4, 1989. He faithfully served as a councilmember or as mayor until 2022. During his time as an elected official, he was instrumental in the construction of the town hall and fire station on 2021 Silver Springs Road and the establishment of an Orangeburg County EMS sub-station at 2017 Silver Springs Road; and

 

Whereas, when voters approved of Orangeburg County's One Cent Sales Tax, Mr. Corbett served as project overseer of a new, spacious town hall that held a ribbon-cutting ceremony in 2004; and

 

Whereas, in his free time, he enjoyed being "G-Daddy" to his four grandchildren and cheering on the South Carolina Gamecocks as a forty-six-year "Forever to Thee" Gamecock Club member; and

 

Whereas, Mr. Corbett was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Ronald Tyler and Roy Corbett; and niece, Caroline Bartsch; and

 

Whereas, Mr. Corbett leaves to cherish his memory his two daughters, Kara (Joseph) Brurok and Laura Katherine Corbett; grandchildren, Madison Free, Ellis Brurok, Sidney Free, and Hank Brurok; sister, Delanie (Keith) Bartsch; and nieces and nephews, Greg Fogle, Ron Tyler, Jason Corbett, and Viktoria Ford. He will be greatly missed.  Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the Senate:

 

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, express profound sorrow upon the passing of Joseph Marion Corbett and extend the deepest sympathy to his family and many friends.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Joseph Marion Corbett.

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