Georgia Chorpening

Georgia was born Sept. 6, 1903 in Thomton, Ark. to her loving parents George and Alangus Oakley. She spent the first part of her life in Fordyce, Ark. After graduating from high school in 1924 Georgia moved to Sanford where she worked at Churchwell’s on 1st Street.

It was also at Churchwell’s where Georgia met her husband, Carl. They were married during one of their lunch breaks with Pastor Burman performing the ceremony.

Carl eventually took a job with the railroad in Sanford. Georgia ended up driving a school bus for the Seminole County Public School system for 23 years. They had one son together, Carl Jr.

During her life in Sanford she volunteered at the Sharing Center, the jail ministry, with the Pink Ladies and also graded school papers.

Since her arrival in Sanford in 1926 she remained a member of the First United Methodist Church.

In 2004 she was given the Points of Light Awards from Gov. Jeb Bush for her public service.

She drove until she was 96-years-old and lived in her home on Palmetto Avenue until she was 100. From there she moved to Renaissance Retirement Living Community and eventually ended up at Atria at Lake Forest.

In a 2008 interview Georgia credited her long life to God, but also recognized that she drank buttermilk everyday, ate lots of vegetables and exercised often.

During that interview she said, “I give God whole credit – I haven’t done anything. I loved my Lord.”

Her granddaughter Sue Solheim said, “She was loved by all.”

Georgia was predeceased by her husband, Carl Chorpening, son, Carl Chorpening, Jr., and her siblings Fred Oakley, Garland Oakley, and Ovita Oakley.

She is survived by five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

A viewing will be held for Georgia Thursday at 9 a.m. at First United Methodist Church in Sanford. A funeral will follow at the church at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers the family has asked that donations be made to Vistas Healthcare at http://www.vitas.com/ or the Sanford Sharing Center at 515 E 25th St, Sanford, FL 32771.