Corine Elizabeth Harber, 75, passed on Thursday, October 17, 2019 at 10:02 pm, from her residence in Paducah. She was born on November 19, 1943, in Paducah. Her parents were the late Ira L. Newsome and Valerie Morris Newsome.
She accepted Christ at an early age at the Husband Street Baptist Church presently Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church. There Corine served as Director of Music for many decades. She played for the Inspirational Voices of Paducah, the Golden Echoes, mass choirs for the Salute to Black Music during the 8th of August celebrations, and throughout the region, state and nation.
She graduated with honors from the former Lincoln High School later becoming the school’s secretary. She was one of the first black members of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Fraternity at Paducah Junior College. She received her degree in business administration later attending Murray State University. She was among the first black secretaries hired at Union Carbide in the early sixties. In 1965, she became the first African-American employed in state government in Paducah for the Kentucky Department of Child Welfare where her career in state government spanned more than 32 years.
She was instrumental in organizing the African American Men Cooking for Charity event with the Friends Club. From this event, their first scholarship was funded more than twenty years ago, and the club continues to present scholarships annually for youth to continue higher education. For the past five years, she opened her home for the annual Chapeau Garden Tea. In 2001, she chaired the African American Sponsored build Habitat Home #53 in Paducah, KY. She was instrumental in securing interviewees for the oral video history project regarding life in Paducah during segregation and milestones in integration for the Kentucky Historical Society and Upper town Heritage. She was a dedicated member of the W. C. Young Community Center board. Her legacy had been documenting African American history in Paducah for more than 20 years through their annual 8th of August souvenir book. In 1999, she presented information to Congressman Ed Whitfield to be included in the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.
Those to cherish her memory are her husband of 56 years Jimmy L. Harber; two daughters, Alisa (Rodney) Smith of Paducah, KY and Christi Harber, of Chicago, IL; one son, Howard (Rita) Houston of Paducah; five grandchildren, Larry (Ebony) Arnold and Chelsea Houston, Roderic Smith, Jalisa Smith, Joya Smith, all of Paducah; two sisters, Reverend Donna G. (Henderson) Newsome Hawkins of Paducah and Pam Flowers of Chicago; one sister-in-law, Brenda (William) Harris of Paducah; several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Some of the highlights in her community Involvement include:
Board Member of - W. C. Young Community Center (Emeritus), Upper Town Heritage Foundation (Past), Paducah Mural Association, Lourdes Hospital Marketing Sr. Board, Rowlandtown Reunion Committee. Member and Past President of the Friends Club, Musician for Queen Esther Chapter No. 4, OES-PHA, Grand Musician for the Cecelia Dunlap Grand Chapter, OES-PHA of KY.
Corine was also a recipient of numerous religious, community and business awards. To name a few: Inducted into the Lincoln High School Hall of Fame as representative of the 1961 Graduation Class, Minority Leadership, Kentucky Colonel, Mayor’s Award of Merit – City of Paducah 2007, Rosa Parks Award – Paducah NAACP Branch 2013, Duchess of Paducah, Court Award – McCracken County, Outstanding Black Woman of the Year, and was included in the Louisville Defender’s Publication – “Blacks in Kentucky State Government.”
Services will be held at Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church 1201 S. 8th St. on Saturday, October 26, 2019 visitation at 10 am services 12 pm. Rev. Donna G. Newsome Hawkins, Officiant. Rev. Dr. Calvin R. Cole, Sr., Eulogist.
Entombment will follow at Maplelawn Park Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers please make donations in her name to Baptist Health Paducah Cancer Care or Paducah-McCracken County Habitat for Humanity.
You may light a candle or leave online condolences at pettusrowlandfh.com.
Pettus Rowland Funeral home is in charge of arrangements.
