Who She Was: Remembering Corina Mae
Discover the remarkable woman whose strength, resilience, and unwavering love inspired the founding of our foundation.
A legacy of strength, courage, and unconditional love
Corina Mae Thompson (Soares) was a woman of remarkable strength, dignity, and unwavering love for her family. Though she spent much of her life in a wheelchair, she met every challenge with grace and determination. Her disability never diminished her spirit; instead, it revealed the depth of her courage. Simply by being herself, Corina had a gift for making others feel safe, understood, and valued.
A devoted mother and loving sister
Corina was not only a devoted mother but also a loving sister. She cared deeply for her siblings and treasured the bond they shared. Her presence in the family brought connection, support, and warmth, and she carried that love with her throughout her life.
A miracle mother
Corina’s greatest dream was to become a mother-a dream many believed was impossible. After enduring three heartbreaking pregnancy losses, she discovered she was pregnant with her son, Noah. From that moment on, she fought with everything she had to bring him into the world. Her strength, resilience, and love became the foundation of the legacy that lives on through The Corina Mae Foundation.
“Corina’s life reminds us that disability is not a limitation - it is a lived experience that deserves respect, understanding, and support.”
- The Corina Mae Foundation
💜 Her Story: Her Legacy Lives On
Corina Mae Thompson was born on February 21, 1970, in Phoenix, Arizona, to David Bailey and Denise Bolen. From the beginning, her life was marked by love, resilience, and a spirit that touched everyone around her. She possessed a quiet strength, gentle humor, and deep compassion that made her unforgettable to all who knew her.
Corina was the heart and inspiration behind this foundation. Her experiences, struggles, and triumphs are woven into every part of our mission. Though she lived with a disability, she never allowed it to define her. Instead, she defined herself through kindness, courage, and an unwavering belief that every person deserves dignity, understanding, and a place in the world. She taught those around her to look beyond limitations and recognize the humanity, strength, and beauty in every individual.
She was a devoted sister to Alanna, Sonyia, Rebecca, and Joseph, and she cherished her nieces and nephews-Krysta, Kaylee, Bella, Charley, Stephanie, Andrew, and Noelle-as though they were her own children. Their laughter, milestones, and presence brought her immense joy and purpose. To Corina, family was not defined by boundaries, but by love, connection, and the bonds that shape us.
Corina was also a loving mother. She is survived by her son, Noah Roberts, who carries her legacy forward through The Corina Mae Foundation. Her love for him was immeasurable, and her strength continues to guide him as he honors her memory through advocacy, compassion, and service to the community.
To know Corina was to know warmth. She loved deeply, laughed often, and found joy in life’s smallest moments. She was a daughter, mother, sister, aunt, and friend. She now flies high in the gardens of Heaven with her father, mother, and sister Rebecca-reunited in peace and surrounded by the love that shaped her life.
The Corina Mae Foundation exists because of her: because of the life she lived, the lessons she taught, and the love she so freely gave. Her story is more than our beginning; it is our guiding light. As we grow, serve, and advocate throughout Alabama, we carry her spirit with us in all that we do.
In Loving Memory of Corina Mae Thomspon (Soares) - A woman of strength, love, and resilience.
Forever honored. Forever remembered.
Learn about our Founder