Estill Robertson Corbett Obituary

Born: Nance, Crockett County, Tennessee

Died: Nance, Crockett County, Tennessee

Buried: Alamo Cemetery, Alamo Crockett County, Tennessee

Son of William Stephen and Frances Ophelia Durham Corbett

Brother of Mary Elizabeth Corbett Deaton, Alymer Glen Corbett, Willie Mozell Corbett Reece, Tommie Lou Corbett Harber, and Franklin Hamlett Corbett

ESTEL CORBETT'S DEATH.

   It was a sad occurrence that took

from Estel Corbett his young life on

the afternoon of June 1. Estel was

the eldest child of Mr. and Mrs. W.

S. Corbett, of the 7th district. The

gun that did the deadly work was

in the hands of Estel's young friend

and neighbor, Bryan Ray. As to

the particular way in which this un

fortunate and dreadful affair occur

red we do not pretend to know, as

we have heard conflicting state

ments. But as to the particulars let

them be as they may they cannot be

recalled, the event has taken place;

yet the fact is well understood that

the whole affair was purely an acci

dent, and we feel sure none can even

imagine the depth of anguish and

poignancy of grief that prey upon

the heart and mind of young Ray.

He deserves and receives no censure,

and so far as criminal intent is con

cerned there was none and he is as

guiltless of any wrong as an unborn

babe. But Estel was taken from

loved ones. The blow was sudden

and severe, and none but the parents

and brothers and sisters can realize

the severity of the stroke. May the

merciful divine Father temper the

grief thus suddenly brought upon

them, and may the bereavement

bring them closer to Him and cause

them more than ever to realize the

need of His constant providential

care. Estel's remains were brought

here Saturday and after a funeral

service at the Christian church con

ducted by Rev. E. S. Baker; of Jack

son, assisted by J. C. W. Nunn, were

about noon laid to rest in Al

amo cemetery.

From The Crockett County Sentinel, June 1911

A Sad Tragedy--Estell Corbett Acci

dentally Killed by His Friend and

Playmate, Bryan Wray

   One of the saddest and most

deplorable tragedies that has ever

occurred in this county, was enac

ted in district No. 7 on Thursday

afternoon of last week, when

Bryan Wray accidentally shot

and killed his life long frIend and

companion, Estell Corbett. The

two boys, about sixteen years of

age, started to the river fishing;

concluded they would take their

guns, and just after leaving the

Corbett home, Bryan, in putting

his gun on his shoulder, in some

way, the hammer caught in his

shirt and was pulled back far

enough to discharge the gun, the

contents taking effect in the left

eye of Estell, the wound causing

death on Friday morning at 5

o'clock. Estell and Bryan had

been boon companions and friends

all their lives, and the accident

almost prostrated Bryan, and all

sympathize with him in his deep

and abiding sorry. As for Estell,

we can say there was not a more

promising young man in the

county--an obedient son, a com

panionable friend and playmate,

a student of aptness and diligence.

He had a few weeks ago, finished the

public school, and would have

next term entered upon the high

school course. He was specially

interested in scientific agricul

ture, and one of the leading corn

club boys of this county. He

was in perfect harmony and sym

pathy, zealously too, with his fa

ther, Esq. W. F. Crobett, who has

done so much to build up the

F. E. & C. U. of A. cause in this

county, and just the Saturday

night before his death was given

the honor, though under age, of

being initiated in Nance School

house Local. In hunting the

cause for the steady, diligent

upright, lofty life of this noble

boy we believe it can be traced

to the one fact that very early

in his life he gave his heart to

God, and constantly was impelled

by the Christ life, the key of

whose young life is founed in

the recorded fact, that "He grew

in wisdom, and in stature, and in

favor with God and Man." That

was reproduced, in a great meas

ure, in the life of Estell. It was as

sad funeral as we ever attended,

yet there was an aroma of Chris

tian faith, obedience and submis

sion about the life of the noble

young man which was of sweet

memory, also of the consecrated

father and mother in their dark

est hour, that all could recognize

the power of God as being pres

ent to bless and minister. Elder

E. S. Baker, of Jackson, who rec

eived Estell into the church held

the funeral service in the Chris

tian church at Alamo Saturday

morning in the presence of a

great throng of sad hearted loved

ones and friends, assisted by

Elder H. C. Booth, and J. C. W.

Nunn, after which his body was

laid to rest in the Alamo cemete

ry, the little mound being covered

with very rare and fragrant floral

offerings. To the young boys of

Crockett county the editor of the

Sentinel would hold the life of

obedience and faith, of energy

and love, of this young man up

before you as one worthy of em

ulation, and a perfect pattern you

can have by accepting the One

who was the strength and power

of Estell's noble life. The father

crushed, the mother's ideal gone,

without faith and hope life would

be a continual night to them.

The whole county deeply sym

pathize wiht Mr. and Mrs. Cor

bett.

From the Crockett County Sentinel, June 1911

   WHEREAS, it has pleased God, our

Father, to call unto Him by such a

deplorable accident as to make all

the community mourn our young friend

and brother, Estell R. Corbett

June 2, 1911.

   Be it resolved, That his father and

mother have lost a dutiful son, his

brother and sisters a loving brother,

our community one of its best boys,

the church a consecrated member

and our union its youngest member

being such an enthusiastic young

farmer. He was taken in under age

by a vote in our union on last Satur

day night, May 28th, and we feel

our loss more deeply, as we were ex

pecting much from one so noble and

true to the cause.

   Be it further resolved, That Estell

was a boy that will be greatly miss

ed throughout the entire commun

ity as every one was his friend, all

loved him as few boys are loved.

He was ever ready to do right and

insist that his companions do like

wise.

   Be it further resolved, That Nance

School House Local Union No. 227,

is deeply grieved and sympathize

with the bereaved family and say

unto them, "he is at rest, and some

day you can meet him where there

is no sorrows, no tears." We also

sympathize with his playmate,

Bryan Ray, who anticipated such a

happy afternoon with so sorrowful

an ending. May you too meet him in

the land beyond.

   Be it further resolved, That these

resolutions be spread upon the min

utes of Nances School House Local

Union No. 227, a copy be sent to the

Crockett County Sentinel for publi

cation and copy be presented the

family.

   Be it further resolved that a copy

be presented to the family of Mr.

Ray.

ANDREW W. RICE,

J. B. AVERY,

H. P. CLARK,

D. B. COLVETT,

Committee.

From The Crockett County Sentinel, June 1911