Dorothy H. Cornell

The matriarch of the Cornell family has joined those around the throne. A beautiful lady that loved her family, her God, and her church. Dorothy H. Cornell passed peacefully while in the care of her loving family at the Stone Pear Pavilion on Monday, April 29, 2019. 96 years old, Dorothy had been in failing health for the past several months.

A daughter of the late Richard and Ethel Swisher Burns, she was born in Wellsville on December 18, 1922.

Dorothy had a warm and tender soul, as anyone who knew her could attest. Above all, her passion in life raising and caring for her family, including children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Earlier Dorothy had worked at the Edwin M. Knowles China Company. Later she was involved in the Cornell Trucking Company with her late husband and love of her life, Joseph “Bill” Cornell. A devout Christian, Dorothy was a very integral part of the Chester Church of the Nazarene. She had served as the assistant bookkeeper, member of the board, and vacation bible school assistant. Also, she was an avid bowler, she was well known throughout the area for the many bowling leagues she participated in.

In addition to her parents, and husband, Joseph “Bill” Cornell, Dorothy was preceded in death by an infant son, Jackie Lee Cornell, and her siblings, Bill, Fred, and Jim Lillie, Kenneth “Bud” Burns, Frances Urie, Myrtle Burns, and Mildred, Hilton.

Left to cherish her memories are her children, John (Rosalie) Cornell of Orlando, FL., Jerry (Della) Cornell of Chester, Joyce Reed of Solon, OH., Janice (Rusty) Smith of Chester, and Jodie (Sean) Williams of Chester; her grandchildren, Candie (Allen) Six, Samantha (Bob) Bruce, Seth Cornell, Lori (Dirk) Keller, Lisa (Charlie) Smith, Laci (Kevin) Shea, Shawn Cornell, Sheri (Alvin) Encarnacion, Rachel (PK) Poling, Joe (Angie) Smith, Michael (Darci) Smith, Matthew Smith, Collin Arner, and Carissa Williams. Twenty-nine great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren survive as well.

Former pastor, Tim Bess, and current pastor Steve Cummings of the Chester Nazarene Church, along with family and friends will celebrate Dorothy’s life at the Arner Funeral Chapel in Chester on Saturday, May 4 at 1:00 p.m. Following service’s, she will be laid to rest beside her husband at the Locust Hill Cemetery in Chester. Friends are invited to visit with the family at the funeral home on Friday from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. You may view this memorial and send condolences at www.arnerfuneralchapel.com.

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