Carolyn Cornwell
Obituary
Carolyn Marie Cornwell was born on
Sept. 12, 1941, to Roy D. and Dorothy Stephenson Campbell in Coffey
County.
Carolyn graduated from Yates Center
High School with the Class of 1960. She was married to Robert Jackson
of Yates Center and they were later divorced. She married Larry M.
Cornwell in 1967 in Yates Center. The Cornwells moved to Newton,
where their two sons, Gregory Lynn and Jeffery Todd, were born. They
later divorced. She never married again, but Jerry Thomas was a great
companion to her for 15 years.
As a young wife and mother, Carolyn was
a full-time homemaker raising her sons. She was devoted to Jeff, who
had cystic fibrosis and required careful attention. She also held
several jobs, the last as a very accomplished seamstress, retiring
from Ratzliff Draperies in Goessel. Carolyn had many talents,
including sewing, cooking and art; she loved to dabble in oil paints.
One painting hung in her parents' home for many years.
In 2010, Carolyn moved to Yates Center
to help with the care of her mother. She became an active member of
the senior center, where she played cards three times a week. She had
a quick wit, a great sense of humor and a competitive nature. Her new
friends and the love of her pets over the years gave her comfort and
companionship.
As a young person, Carolyn was baptized
in the First Christian Church in Yates Center. Later, when she moved
back, she renewed that faith and was a deacon and served her church
faithfully. Over the past two months, in struggling with health
issues, her faith and resolve were evident.
Survivors include her son, Gregory and
wife Sheila of Patterson, California; grandchildren, Todd and Rebecca
Cornwell of Patterson, California; siblings, William Campbell
(Roberta), Margaret Harrod (Lauren), both of Yates Center, and
Barbara Hays (David) of Salina; and many nieces and nephews. Other
survivors include Jerry's children, Brad Thomas of Louisville,
Kentucky, Brent (Cathy) of Newton and Tina Fowler; and grandson, Levi
Fowler of Wichita.
Preceding her in death were her son,
Jeff; her parents; and Jerry Thomas.
Services will be held at 10:30 a.m.
Thursday (Feb. 28, 2019) at the Christian Church Town Hall, 201 S.
Main, Yates Center. Burial is in Newton, where she will be laid to
rest beside Jeffery in Greenwood Cemetery. Graveside services will be
at 2 p.m. No family visitation is planned. She will lie in state from
3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday (Feb. 27, 2019) at Campbell Funeral Home, Yates
Center.
Memorial contributions may be made to
Sunshine Meals or Midland Hospice, sent in care of Campbell Funeral
Home, 310 W. Rutledge, Yates Center, KS 66783.
