Corbett was born July 3, 1948, at Hazard, Kentucky, to the parents of Chester and Luna Ashley Mullins. He grew up among a loving family as the fourth of four boys that lived on Little Smith Branch (Smithboro, Ky.-a community now under the waters of Carr Creek Lake) His mom had the greatest influence on his life as she was at home with the boys on a daily basis and while his dad was off working in the mines.

For grades one through six, Corbett attended the Smithboro Grade School, a two-room school at the mouth of Big Smith Branch. As he entered seventh grade all one and two room schools in the Carr Creek area were consolidated into Carr Creek Elementary at Cody, Kentucky. It was one year there and then on to Carr Creek High School to complete eighth grade to graduation in 1966.

Upon graduation from high school it was on to Alice Lloyd College to start preparation for a teaching career. At the time ALC was only a two-year institution, so in 1968 he graduated from there and went on to Morehead State University to finish up. He received his Bachelor’s of Arts degree from Morehead in 1970 and returned to Knott County ready to teach. It was at this time he learned the US government had other ideas for the recent graduate. The Vietnam War was in full swing and his “lottery number” had already been passed while he was in school. He was told by the draft board that he would be called sometime in September. The idea of the U.S. Army didn’t really appeal to him; therefore, he joined the U.S. Air Force instead, and entered active duty in October 1970. Prior to joining the Air Force he had taken and passed the entire battery of test necessary to become a pilot once he entered the Air Force. True to their word he received his draft notice in September but was allowed to continue with his plans to enter the Air Force. He was told he would be taken from enlisted basic training to Officer’s Training once he was in Texas. This happened as he was told, but when the orders came down it was for helicopter pilot rather than fixed wing. He had no desire to become a helicopter pilot, so he declined the appointment and decided to stay on as an enlisted serviceman in the medical corps (medic).

Once basic training was completed at Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas, he was sent to Sheppard AFB, in Wichita Falls, Texas, for training as a medical service specialist. After this Corbett lucked out and was assigned to Wright Patterson AFB, Dayton, Ohio.

It was during this time (between Texas and Ohio) that he married Deborah Lynn Smith, daughter of Watson and Rhoda Owens Smith of Mallie. Debbie and Corbett had grown up together and some would put them in the category as “childhood sweethearts”. At the time of their marriage, Debbie was working as the school secretary at Carr Creek Elementary, and would continue to do so for the balance of the school year. As soon as the school year was over she joined Corbett in Dayton for the balance of his tour.

At Wright-Patterson Corbett served first as a medic in the emergency room, later as an assistant to the Chief of Plastic Surgery, and finally as a trainer for other medics coming in DTD (direct tour of duty). These were tense years for both Corbett and Debbie, because on a monthly basis he was receiving “Ore-Overseas Alert Notices”, and the both knew Vietnam would be the most logical destination should orders come. Finally in January 1973, the peace agreement to end the war was concluded and both breathed a sigh of relief. This period of relief was short-lived because in August of 1973, the Arab Oil Embargo started up and rumors started to fly that service men and women would be trading in their green camouflage uniforms for brown. That did materialize (at that moment) and in October 1974, Corbett’s tour of duty in the Air Force ended and he and Debbie returned to Knott County.

October meant the school year was already underway and teaching jobs were nonexistent. Corbett substitute taught until January and at that time he and Debbie moved to Morehead where he could continue working toward his Master’s Degree. He got as many classes as he could during the spring and summer terms that year and finally got word that he had been hired to teach at Hindman Elementary starting with the 1975-1976 school year.

This meant another move back to Hindman and the start of what turned out to be a 30 year stint at Hindman Elementary. During his years at Hindman, Corbett taught all subjects except grammar. He served17 years as the boy’s and girl’s basketball coach, several years as academic and speech coach, gifted and talented teachers, and ended up serving as a social studies consultant and county elementary athletic director. In addition to teaching at Hindman Elementary, Corbett also taught college classes at Alice Lloyd College and Hazard Community. He retired from teaching at the end of the 2004-2005 school year.

Early in his teaching career Corbett and Debbie were blessed with the birth of their only child, a daughter, Lucinda Jane, born on August 26, 1976. (Cindy, as she is commonly called is married to Lejon Paige Maggard.) It was also at this time that he was talked into running for the Office of Mayor of Hindman. He was successful in his bid and served as Mayor from 1977-1981.

In addition to what has been listed above, Corbett has served several years as Chairperson of the Knott County Gingerbread Festival, been a member of the Carr Creek Lions Club, served on various board and committees. He is presently serving as a member of the Board of Directors for Kentucky River Community Care and continues his work with the Gingerbread Festival.

Corbett and Debbie also owned and operate the Holly Hill Mall restaurant for eight years prior to starting the Tea Pot Café which they operated for about a year and a half. It was at that time that the birth of their granddaughter, Adison Paige Maggard happened and they took a break from the restaurant business. After Adison was about a year old, Debbie and Corbett decided to go back into the restaurant business and they took back over the Mall Restaurant. It is here you will find them at the time of this writing.

In summary, Corbett’s life to date has been one of giving of himself to the people and county he calls home. His hope and wish for the area is that more people will follow and volunteer their services for the good of all.