Coralleen “Corky” Rue (Richards) Karlin-Bennett, 74, passed away at her home on August 17, 2022, in Farmington, NM surrounded by her dogs following a long battle with cancer.
Corky was born in East Liverpool, Columbiana, OH on March 26, 1948. She graduated from Beaver Local High School in Liverpool. Young Corky was a groomer and outrider for Dale Baird, who is stated to be the winningest Thoroughbred Trainer She worked at Latonia Racehorse track in Covington, KY and River Downs racehorse track, Cincinnati, OH. She loved traveling with the horses for the big money races. Corky then married her husband, Steve Ackerson, and they followed her mother to Farmington, New Mexico where she would stay happily for the rest of her life. Corky raised her two children (Scott and Buffy) while working at Smoak Webb Chevrolet, and then for Desert Sports and Four Corners Harley Davidson, where she retired.
Corky was preceded in death by both her parents Wanda (Blue) Plemons (NM) and George Richards Jr (OH). Don Karlin, her husband of 24 years, passed away in 2016. They enjoyed their blended family and riding motorcycles. She remarried Gordon Bennett and together they enjoyed camping and the great outdoors until he passed in 2019. Corky was a wonderful caretaker for both her husbands, her mother, and multiple other family members throughout her life. She was also proceeded in death by her son-in-law, Christopher Garrett.
Corky enjoyed her family, friends, and all her animals throughout her life. During her life, she had multiple dogs and cats, and she loved them all dearly. Corky had a green thumb and adored the hummingbirds in her beautiful tranquil backyard filled with the many flowers and plants that kept her busy after she retired. Corky was loved and appreciated by all that knew her. She will be missed.
Corky is survived by her son, Scott (Carrie) Ackerson; daughter, Buffy Garrett; grandchildren Chase, Colten, and Cierra, of Alexandria, KY and Sunny, of Erlanger, KY. Other children: Mike (Tiffany) Karlin and granddaughter Cheyenne of Aztec, NM; Craig (Lisa) Karlin and grandchildren Ian, Jack, and Andrew, of Colorado Springs, CO; and Joy (Kenneth) Clarke and grandson Ben of Aztec, NM; as well as a couple of siblings and a host of nephew and nieces.