Mary Helen Cornelius, 78, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 4th, 2019 surrounded by her family. Helen was born on April 19th, 1941 in Jackson, Mississippi to parents Cecil and Annie (Ramshur) Bates. The eldest of twelve siblings, Helen lived her life selflessly loving and caring for her six sisters and five brothers. She cherished her profession as a housewife and mother raising her three sons, Benjamin, Jeffery, and Bryan. Helen dearly loved and enjoyed living an active life full of country music and dancing, cooking, gardening, shopping and sewing. Helen also deeply loved and adored her grandchildren, who lovingly called her “Ma”. She was a dearly loved mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend who will be deeply missed. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jerry; parents, Cecil and Annie; sister, Ruth; and brothers, Truman and Buddy. Helen is lovingly survived by five sisters and three brothers; her sons and daughter-in-laws, Benjamin Cornelius and Debra, Jeffery Cornelius and Lauri, and Bryan Cornelius; Grandchildren, Hope (Jason), Jared (Sara), Nolan (Mckaylie), Casey (Corbin), Cody, Christian, Cali, and Carli; eight Great-Grandchildren; and numerous other loving relatives and caring friends survive. Friends are welcome to join the family for visitation Wednesday, October 9th, 2019 from 9:00 am-10:00 am in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church of Willis. A celebration of life service will be held in the church sanctuary from 10:00 am-11:00 am, and a graveside service will be held at 12:30 pm at Rosewood Funeral Home in Humble.
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