Corlie Ann Whitehead (Johnson) born January 2, 1956, to Mary Ann Johnson (Klepps) and John Johnson of Forks, WA, passed away on Monday, June 28, 2021, at the age of 65. She is survived by her husband Victor Wayne Whitehead of Forks, with whom she was married for 46 years. She is also survived by her son, Jonathan Wayne Whitehead of Port Angeles, and daughter Marni Ann Whitehead of Forks, and her two Grandchildren, Timothy Whitehead (age 17) and Delaney Whitehead (age 1). Surviving her are her brothers, Warren Johnson, and Willy Johnson. She has a large family on both the Johnson and Whitehead sides that are rooted in Forks, WA. Corlie was the proud owner of Whiteheads Auto Parts store for the past 33 years. She took pride in customer service and being a woman-owned business that could help support the community.
In support of the community, Corlie was also the chairwoman of the Forks Old Fashioned 4th of July Committee for about 30 years. She was in charge of the whole festival from the parade to the park vendors to the demo derby to the fireworks. She gave her heart and soul to this community celebration. As a result, she was named “Peninsula Woman” in the Peninsula Daily News in 2004. Also, the City of Forks bestowed July 4th, 2001 as “Corlie Whitehead Day.” Her creativity shined as she designed floats to represent the Forks 4th at area festivals, was in charge of the royalty representatives, and drove the float through many parades. Her creativity shined also in her crafting as she rubber-stamped greeting cards and cross-stitched when her arthritic hands could handle it.
She was also an active member of the Assembly of God Church, where she has taught pre-school, Mission-ettes, and Sunday school when her children were younger. She also sang in the church choir. She loved God with all her heart, mind, and soul. She survived Lymphoma Cancer and had tee-shirts made that said, “I’m living proof that… Prayer Works!” Her love of God started at an early age. At the Baptist church when she was just a toddler, she played Mary in the Christmas pageant. Who was her Joseph? None other than her future husband Victor!
In high school, she worked at the bowling alley and then as a bookkeeper for Whiteheads Auto Parts (then owned by her in-laws Jim & Kay Whitehead). A graduate of Forks High School in 1974, she took one year of accounting and business classes at Peninsula College. Though she valued education, she did not want to leave her Forks Community. She enjoyed mentoring students at the school during her “spare time.”
She was also a foster parent and received an award for 18 years of service in Clallam County for her work in the foster care programs and juvenile diversion. She had a large heart and wanted to share her love with as many kids and people as possible. She loved children and also sponsored kids all over the globe through Compassion International, Walk In the Light of Port Orchard, and World Vision.
Her memorial service will be at the Forks Assembly of God Church on July 17th at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Soroptimists for their Oncology Support Fund, PO Box 502, Forks, WA 98331. She was a cancer survivor and would want her memory to support others going through that same battle.
