Page 5 - Ruth Mazyck Corbett Virtual Memorial

that she could fill, whether it was for special events or vacation bible school she was there. She
eventually become a part of the Deaconess Board until woman were re-ordained as Deacons on July 10,
1994. Deacon Corbett was a part of the first group of women to be transitioned from the title Deaconess
to Deacon. As part of the Deacon Board she was a servant leader, a prayer warrior, a true soldier in the
army of the Lord. She was always ready for battle, going to bat for those who were hurting, those who
were in need and in need of guidance. She had a heart for single mothers and committed to providing
weekly bible studies for the Single Mothers Ministry in her home. She said the Lord placed it on her
heart and in true fashion she took heed to the call. Deacon Corbett was an avid baker and loved to cook
taking time out of her busy schedule to bake treats. She enjoyed hosting gatherings at her home often
baking her famous sour cream pound cake, lemon pound cake, peach cobbler or some other delectable
treat. There was rarely a moment when her home was not full of people and full of love.

Ruth Corbett truly knew how to love people well. She had a knack for meeting people where they were
and offering wise counsel. In 2004, Ruth Mazyck Corbett fulfilled her lifelong dream of finishing college
and earning her degree. At the age of 61, she graduated from the College of New Rochelle with a
Bachelor’s in Psychology. She went on to earn her M.A. in Counseling from Nyack College/Alliance
Theological Seminary in 2009. As a gifted counselor she became instrumental in the development and
launching of Turning Point Counseling Ministries at Emmanuel Baptist Church. She provided pre-marital
counseling, participated in the grief counseling and advocated for those with mental health issues. She
was passionate about dispelling the stigmas attached to mental health in the African American
community. Ruth Mazyck Corbett was also a member of the American Association of Christian
Counselors.

In 2012, Ruth Mazyck Corbett was offered the position of Family Advocate for the Head Start Program in
Bedford-Stuyvesant. She served the school community and the community at large by diligently
providing resources for parents in the program, ensuring that students’ needs were met and that the
teachers were supported. As always, she went the extra mile, she was the consummate peacemaker,
and often the voice of reason. Every morning she was always there to greet the children and parents
with warm hugs and a big smile. She will be missed by many students and parents who loved her dearly.
Ruth Mazyck Corbett was a woman of God who truly loved God and loved people.

Ruth Mazyck Corbett will forever be remembered and celebrated by: her daughters Charlene Miranda
Thomas and Natasha Elaine Corbett, her son-in-law Ted Thomas, her grandchildren Clifton Aaron
Cutrary (Ramuza), Anuta Cutrary, Mercedes Faith Thomas, and Jeremiah Isaiah Thomas, her siblings and
her in-laws, Rev. Edmond and Rubystene Mazyck, Lydia and Eli Butler, Hattie Jenkins, The Corbett
Family, a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins, all of her “children” who affectionately call her “Nana
Ruth”, her fellow members of the Deacon Board at Emmanuel, the Turning Point Counseling Ministry,
Pastor Anthony L. Trufant and the Emmanuel Baptist Church family.

“Well done good and faithful servant”