Johanna Corbin Aiken

Johanna Corbin Aiken died peacefully at home in Greenville, SC, on Friday, April 10, 2015. Born in Florence, SC, on October 2, 1947, Johanna was the third child of Henry Jefferson Corbin and Frederika Jeffcoat Corbin. She was preceded in death by her parents and by her brother, Henry Jefferson Corbin, Jr. Mrs. Aiken graduated from Columbia College in 1969. That same year she married Johnny, her childhood best friend and life-long love. Together they moved to Greenville in 1973. There she played an active role in the community: she was a sustaining member of the Junior League of Greenville; she was a member of The Debutante Club, The Piedmont Dance Club, The Carillon Dance Club, The Quadrille Dance Club, Beaux Arts, Wednesday Lunch Club, and the Heritage Garden Club. She was also a board member of the Caesar’s Head Community Association. Mrs. Aiken had unique and exquisite taste in fabrics, flowers, art, cooking, and clothing; she was always beautifully dressed. In 1993 she began a career as a sales associate/stylist for Worth New York. This proved to be a perfect combination of her keen fashion sense, her creative spirit, and her love of people. She built a business based on her passion for constructing a perfect outfit for others. This led to success: for the past eight years, she and her team have been the top Worth New York sales team in the nation. She took delight in spending time chatting with customers over the warm wooden desk in “The Dollhouse”, and truly believed that this was an important part of her sales success. Mrs. Aiken made everyone feel special. She created warmth and beauty for all those she entertained at her homes in Greenville and Caesar’s Head, and at Laurelwood. Her home-cooked meals, enjoyed on beautifully-set tables, were the highlight of holiday and birthday celebrations. Most of all she was devoted to her family. She adored her husband, children, and grandchildren and she spoiled them with love. She leaves us with an incredible legacy of kindness, generosity, and family strength. Mrs. Aiken is survived by her husband, John Davis Aiken, Jr., and their children: John Davis Aiken III and his wife Elizabeth (Sally) Giese Aiken; Grey Corbin Aiken and his wife Margaret Tackett Aiken; and Katherine Aiken White and her husband Mark Cameron White. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Mary King Corbin, and by four beloved grandchildren: John Davis Aiken IV, Elizabeth Ann Aiken, Henry McLaurin White, and Lucas Aiken White. The memorial service will be at 11:00 AM, Monday, April 13, 2015, at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Visitation will be at the church, immediately following the service. Memorials may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church, Columbia College, or the charity of one’s choice.