Geraldine Corbett Wooten

RALEIGH - After a 15-year struggle with Alzheimer’s disease, Geraldine “Jerry” Corbett Wooten, of Raleigh, passed away on March 11, 2016.  She departed this life with her loving family knowing that she had a significant impact on her church, community, and thousands of former students. Graveside services will be at 10:30 am Tuesday at Friendship FWB Church Cemetery, Middlesex, NC. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm Tuesday at Bryan-Lee Funeral Chapel, Garner.  The family will receive friends after the service. Jerry was born in Johnston County, the daughter of the late Leamon Lester Corbett and Vivian Hale Corbett. She was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, J.D. Wooten, Jr. and brother, Jassalyn Corbett of Statesville. Geraldine is survived by her three children: Julia Wooten and husband, Jerry Hamilton of Willow Spring; John D. Wooten III, MD and wife, Fran, of Raleigh; and Jane W. Ayers and husband Rev Brian Ayers of N. Augusta, SC.   She is survived by her grandchildren:  J.D. Wooten IV, Christopher W. Wooten, Michael A. Wooten, Nathaniel G. Wooten, Rachel E. Ayers, and Madison C. Ayers.  She has one surviving sister-in-law, Mable Wooten of Tarboro. Jerry had a firm commitment to God, family, education, and music. She selflessly taught and counseled countless young people over her lifetime without ever passing judgment, only offering her compassionate wisdom as guidance. Her unassuming intellect was quietly admired by all who knew and worked with her. Graduating at the top of her class from Atlantic Christian College ‘53 (Barton College), she was a “Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities”. She began her teaching career at Rock Ridge High School (Wilson County) before moving to Raleigh in 1957.  Her career included over 20 years in the Garner schools, culminating in her post as chair of the Math department at Garner Sr HS where she not only mentored many students but also shepherded in future generations of North Carolina educators.  Her influence was felt at all levels of education, from her young piano students, to math students she tutored at Wake Tech, to student teachers who would later fill her shoes chairing math departments across North Carolina.  A skilled mathematician, her impact reached much further than her favorite subject as she also taught French, science, and music over her decades of instruction. Never just a teacher, Jerry showed her talent for music from an early age, singing with her parents and brother in a family gospel quartet in her teens. Later in life she also served as church pianist and enjoyed singing in the choir. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to one of the following: Liberty Hospice, 3200 Spring Forest Rd # 201, Raleigh, NC 27616 Highland Baptist Church, 8524 Crowder Road, Raleigh, NC 27603 Alzheimers Association Eastern North Carolina Chapter 3739 National Drive, Suite 110 Raleigh, NC 27612 We want to give a special thank you to Morningside Assisted Living of Raleigh who took care of Jerry and her family for nearly six years. Condolences may be made to bryan-leefuneralhome.com.