Our beloved mother and grandmother, Gertrude Elizabeth Forney Corpening, entered eternal rest on June 2, 2025, at Amorem Hospice Care of Valdese, NC after a brief illness. She was born on October 17, 1927, to the late Alexander and Irene Conley Forney. Gertrude's life was filled with love and many joyful years of family togetherness that we are so grateful for.  She was always surrounded by the love of her children and loved ones. She was married to the late Herbert Corpening, Jr., and together, they reared and raised eleven children. Coming up in life, Gertrude was a kind, gentle-spirited, and a well-known pillar of the community. She held strong Christian beliefs and morals and attended Shiloh A.M.E. Church for many years of her life.

Gertrude attended Willow Tree School during the mid-1930s, completing some years of her High School Education. As the eldest sibling in the family, Gertrude would dedicate her life to the family by sharing in the upbringing of her siblings. Gertrude lived a long, loving life throughout five generations.

In addition to her parents and husband, Gertrude was preceded in death by: daughters Nancy Corpening Caldwell and Teresa Corpening Wright;  son Tommy R. Corpening and brothers Alexander (Bug) Forney and Ray Forney.

Gertrude leaves to cherish her memory eight of eleven children: Herbert Ronald Corpening (Denise) of Temple, GA, Phillip E. Corpening (Marsha) of Morganton, NC, Daniel R. Corpening of Morganton, NC, Johnny T. Corpening of Morganton, NC, Sharon L. Corpening  Cornwell of Morganton, NC,  Carolyn D. Corpening Surratt ( Steve) of Morganton, NC, Edward L. Corpening (Gayla) of Morganton, NC, and Cathy M. Corpening Rhyne (Nick) also of Morganton, NC.  One sister, Inez Forney Moore of Morganton, NC, one brother, Samuel Forney of Morganton, NC; 15 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews, and friends.

Gertrude's Life's Legacy of Faith and Kindness will always continue to inspire all who knew her.

A homegoing celebration honoring the life of Mrs. Gertrude Forney Corpening will take place Saturday June 7, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. in the Corpening Memorial Chapel of McCain Funeral Home & Cremations; interment will follow in the Shiloh A.M.E. Church Cemetery.  The family will receive friends thirty minutes prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, the Corpening family has asked that donations in honor of Mrs. Corpening be made to McCain Funeral Home & Cremations.  Donations may be made in person, over the phone, Cash App ($McCainFuneralHome) or Zelle ( mccainfuneralhome@gmail.com ).