Mary Claudine Cornett

Mary Claudine Cornett, 92, born in Lancaster, TN on August 17, 1923, passed away July 4, 2016 after a long battle with leukemia. She lived most of her adult life in El Paso, TX and attended El Paso High School. In the early 1940’s she began her career working for Fred Hervey Enterprises where for 48 years she managed numerous Oasis Restaurants, as well as the Hervey House Private Club. She is preceded in death by her mother, Rebecca Ann Armstrong, brother, Howard K. “Tuffy” Harris, her beloved husband, Carl E. Cornett, and her son, Kenneth Paul Persinger. She is survived by her daughter, Carolyn Sue Bitticks, granddaughter, Shannon Pierce, grandson, Kenneth Carl Persinger, great-granddaughters Kaylee and Katelyn Behrens, Satori, Claire and Piper Persinger, great-great grandson Aiden and great-great granddaughter Aurora, all of El Paso. After retirement, she moved to Anthony, NM and dearly loved country life, helping her husband raise miniature horses and donkeys, peacocks, guinea hens, cockatoos, dogs and cats while pursuing her real passion, feeding hundreds of hummingbirds. It has been said that the phrase “Born to Shop” was written just for her. In July of 2014, she moved back to El Paso and at the time of her passing was a resident of the Palisades Assisted Living facility. The family would like to thank all of her caregivers, her nurse Andy, Drs. Yusoof and Raja, and especially her oncologist, Dr. Sanchez-Rivera for all they did to help her. We take comfort in the knowledge that she’s in a better place now, pain free. All those who knew her would say she was a very special lady, blessed to be loved by all of her family and so many friends, who will miss her very much, especially Susan de la Vega. She was a real fighter to the end and literally went out with a bang. As she took her last breath, the beautiful fireworks display seen from her hospital window ended with a spectacular red, white, and blue display. Hillcrest Funeral Home and Crematory is handling her cremation and there will be no services, as was her wish. At a later date, not yet determined, we will have a small, private memorial service when the family takes her ashes back to the peaceful country area she loved so much.