Ruth Ellen Williams Cornell, 84, of Alkol, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, January 15, 2017 at home, surrounded by her family. She had been ill for several months and passed away from renal failure.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Stanley; parents, Archie & Angie Williams; and sisters, Nellie McClure, Carrie Johnson and Cornia Loftis Tribble.
She was a Christian, and a retired teacher from Kanawha County Schools. She helped to write the pilot program for the WV history curriculum.
Ruth is survived by her son, Andrew Buel Cornell, Fredericksburg, VA; daughter, Karen Cornell Raines, Savannah, GA; brother, John (Jean) Williams, Dayton, OH and sister, Ann (Carl) Egnor, Sumerco, WV; and also survived by four grandchildren, Andrew, Jr., Rebecca, Katie & Sandra; and one great-grandson, Benjamin.
Services will be 11:00am, Wednesday, January 18th at Curry Funeral Home, Alum Creek, with Pastors Chuck Adkins and Dwight McClure officiating. Burial will follow at the Pauley Cemetery, Woodville. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions to Stepping Stones Canine Fosters WV, 6918 Heritage Dr., Charleston, WV 25312. The family would like to thank the staff of CAMC – Charleston General Hospital and Dignity Hospice of Chapmanville.
Words cannot express our supreme gratitude to Mrs. Ann Egnor for her commitment and caregiving to her sister Ruth.
I believe my Mother — Iva Mae McCormick Clarkson at Southwest Church of God — was a really good friend of Ruth’s. My Mom was from Lincoln County, lived in Spring Hill for a time and moved permanently to Tyler Mountain. She would have been very sad.
I had her for history teacher at East Bank High School back in 1979. She one of the reasons I major in history.
Andy and Karen, I am so sorry for your loss. I remember all those years at Southwest COG. Plus stopping by your house for mom to drop off her Avon. I lost mom two years ago Feb. 15th. So I know how hard it is. Praying!
The West Virginia and Kanawha County Associations of Retired School Employees extend their sincere sympathy to you, the family, in your sorrow. Blessings to all.
I had the pleasure of being taught by Ms. Cornell for 7th, 8th (SHJH) and 9th grade (DJH). I too, can recite our 55 counties in alphabetical order because of her. She was strict and stern and she made you work. Having her in 7th grade seemed like a curse at the time, but in 8th and 9th grades, she made me want to do better and I did. And it was because of her. She was feared by many students and as an adult today, I can say I am so glad that I had her for those formative years. I knew to show up to class prepared. And don’t get her started on when someone sneezes and someone else says bless you or Gesundheit! 🙂 She taught us how to spell many words and I am just so thankful that I had the experience of knowing this lovely lady. I think about her often to this day. Who knows how many lives she touched. They certainly don’t make them like she anymore. Thank you Ms. Cornell!! You will truly be missed.
I had the pleasure of being taught West Virginia Studies by this fine lady. Her class was difficult and she was stern. With that said I learned so much about the great state of West Virginia. There was never a question about our state that she didn’t know the answer to. I received an award at the end of my 8th grade year “Hardest Working Mountaineer”. The next day I thanked her and she told me that I earned the award and that I didn’t get it for being handsome lol. Prayers to the family the God will hold you in the hull of his hand in the coming days.
I had Mrs. Cornell at Spring Hill Junior High School in the early 80’s. I STILL to this day at age 46 can recite all WV counties in alphabetical order. Because when it came time to be in her class, you better come prepared! Lol
She was stern, but fair. They don’t make them like her anymore. The best teacher I’ve ever had, hands down. She will be remembered.
Aunt Ruth,
Thanks for your life and testimony. You helped shape my pilgrimage and service to our Lord. Tell mom and dad (Gretta and Bill Cornell), that we love and miss them. May your family sense God’s Peace and Presence very near at this time.
Bill Cornell, Jr., Anthony, and Jason.
I enjoyed her WV studies class in 1976 – 77 at SHJH. We had this one assignment where we had to start a business. Larry Saunders (of modeling fame) was my partner. We both got A’s. Our job was to sell houses but we lived in tents.
Randy Huffman (former WV DEP chief) was a preacher and he preached on Noah , Mark Hess was a preacher too. I don’t remember the subject of his sermon but we sang “Love Lifted Me” after his message. Mrs. Cornell instilled in me a love for our state of WV.
She was my favorite teacher. I remember how much she challenged us. Rest In Peace.
Ruth was a colleague and a friend.
We walked and talked during our short lunch at Spring Hill Junior. When the school closed she went to Dunbar Junior and completed her career. She told me
those remaining years were as close to Hell as she ever wanted to experience.
Good-by dear friend. I’m certain your sweet, loving soul bypassed Hell.
Mrs. Cornell was one of the best teachers a student could ever have. She had high expectations, but that is only because she believed in all of us. She came across as very stern (which is what she had to do), but many times we all saw her softer side. She gave great hugs when you needed them too. I am so sorry to her family and friends. You are all in my prayers. Please know that she has touched so many lives in so many ways. I promise you there isn’t a student who had her for WV Studies that didn’t love her and remember ever lesson she taught. She will always live on in our hearts and minds. She was unforgettable!
Thanks be to God for this wonderful teacher! It’s been 37 years since I had her for WV History and to this day I remember most every lesson. She taught with passion and we all feel in love with WV through her eyes! For knowing all the counties alphabetically, for knowing the start parks first hand and enjoying the WVU football games, and most of all for being a wonderful influence in mine and so many others lives, I say thanks be to God for Mrs. Cornell! May all those who she touched in life be comforted by the grace and peace of God as we celebrate her wonderful life. Peace, Tim H.
Condolences to Andy, Karen and their families. My sisters and I grew up on Glen Way with the Cornells as neighbors. We all had Mrs. Cornell as a WV Studies teacher at SHJH and have many memories of her and her family. Personally speaking, I still use “I digress”, which was a phrase she used frequently. I can also still recite the WV counties…in alphabetically order! Thank you Mrs. Cornell, for all you did to teach so many kids about the wonders of our great state. God bless you. May you Rest In Peace.
As a former student, I simply wanted to say a long overdue Thank You to Mrs. Cornell for all she did for myself and many other students at Spring Hill Jr. High. Rest In Peace!
Words seem inadequate to express the sorrow felt by the loss of such a loved one. My heart is with you. As well as this beautiful encouraging promise, John 5:28,29 “Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out.” Imagine that day when all our dear loved ones are brought back to life through a resurrection and reunited with us again. What a truly beautiful promise of comfort and hope and how we long for that special day so close at hand.
God bless your family at this time. Karen has been a great addition to our church family in Pt. Wentworth, GA. She loved her mom very much and we prayed for her often in the past months.
Sorry for your loss.. Ruth was a Godly woman….she was good to visit my daughter, Teresa when she was suffering from cancer…..May God give the family Peace and Comfort…
Karen, Katie and Sandra,
We are so very sorry for your loss and pray for peace and comfort in the coming days. If there is anything we can do for you please let me know.
We love you and feel your pain. Let us know when you get back to Savannah.