Obituary of Jerry E. Cornell

Mr. Jerry E. Cornell, age 76, of Vilas, passed away Monday, December 17, 2018 at his home. Born March 11, 1942 in Watauga County, he was a son of the late Stewart James Cornell and Mary Margaret Simmons Cornell. He was retired from ASU where he worked as a painter. Jerry was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed farming and gardening, often giving away the vegetables he grew. Jerry is survived by three children, Tommy Cornell and wife Brenda of Vilas, Beaver Cornell and wife Lori of Mountain City, and Jackie Ward and husband Sonny of Vilas, five grandchildren, Blaine Cornell, David Cornell and wife Marisa, Alisha Cornell and Jeremy Reece, Taylor Cornell, and Mikaela Velazquez, two step grandchildren, Wesley and Kortney Bodenhamer, eight great grandchildren, Brier and Jovie Cornell, Jackson and Colton Velazquez, A. J. Freeman, Haven Roark, Sofia and Ryder Bodenhamer, three sisters, Margaret Hodges and husband Melvin, Dianne Presnell all of Vilas and Faye Greer of Winston-Salem, one sister in law, Joanne Harris and a special nephew, Justin Townsend, and by several nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife Jeannie Hayes Cornell and his mother and father-in-law, Mildred and Blaine Hayes, by brothers Ernest, Doc and Herbert Cornell and by an infant sister, Verlie. Funeral services for Mr. Jerry E. Cornell will be conducted Friday, December 21, 2018 at 2 PM at Willow Valley Baptist Church. Officiating will be Rev. Ray Greene. Burial will follow at Adams Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday from noon until 2 o’clock at Willow Valley Baptist Church. Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 441 Daniel Drive, Boone, NC 28607. Online condolences may be shared with the Cornell family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Cornell family.