Elliott "Papaw" J. Cornwell

Of Lake City, Florida passed away on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at the age of 87. Elliott was born in Salyersville, Kentucky on December 14, 1937, to parents Ollie Cornwell and Rebecca Montgomery. He married his wife of 38 years, Janice Cornwell, on July 18, 1987. Elliott served in the U.S. Army, being discharged in March 1964. He also enjoyed being a member of the Eagles Club. Elliott was an ambitious man. He worked two jobs most of his life to support his family. He really enjoyed life and his work. He was a welder fabricator at JL Peter’s until he retired in 2000. In his spare time, he loved to garden. He had a green thumb and a huge garden. He also loved music and loved dancing. Most of Janice’s favorite memories are Bluegrass festivals and the local Eagles Club and dancing with Elliott. After Elliott officially retired, he continued to work with Craig Doan in the summers and in the Family Restaurant in the winters. He was the best darn welder and custodian ever. In his younger years, he liked to hunt, fish, cut wood, and spend time with his brothers and sisters. He was the best husband, brother, father, and Papaw on planet earth. He would do anything for anyone if he could help without even asking permission. Many days Sherrie would come home and her whole yard would be raked and mowed because he knew that would help. Papaw was also a guy who loved to have a good time. He would often make a trip to Louis Barn in Bunker Hill for a few swigs of moonshine. His favorite hat said moonshine on it, and he talked about moonshine, dancing, and his garden right up to his passing. His last 6 years were rough. He had it way worse than us. With his fiery attitude in his younger years, you would have expected him to be a tough dementia patient, but he was not. He was the perfect patient right up to the end. As long as Nana and Zoie were around, he was comfortable. Even when we brought in a shower aide, he became the best of friends with Ty. She would put lotion on his feet and scratch his back. He never looked forward to the shower, but he always looked forward to the extras. He told Janice that he loved her every night as she helped him undress for an early bedtime. It was sweet to watch. When you were a friend of Elliott’s, you were a friend for life. He was especially great at winning your heart over with his great work ethic, great sense of humor and numbers games. Craig Doan was like a brother to him, and Craig then led the family to other great relationships like Jason Tingly. I am not sure he ever really understood what a huge positive impact he made in the lives of others. Papaw had a huge heart and will be greatly missed. Elliott is survived by his wife Janice Cornwell; children Tina (Mike Jones) Daley, Patty Mapes, Randy Cornwell, daughter Sherrie (Deb Stone) Clark; son-in-law Kevin Orner; adopted Daughter Marianne Homm; grandchildren Kevin Orner, Randy Orner, Traver Daley, Donnie Blair, Austyn Mapes, Racheal Cornwell, Amber Ramano, Toni Clark, Courtney Fisher, and Hailey Fisher; great grandchildren Austyn Rae Ramano, Rorie Ann Fisher and other great grandchildren; siblings Lewis (Sharon) Cornwell, Geraldine Yeager, Buford (Fannie) Cornwell, and Judy Thornsbury; and many, many nieces, and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Ollie Cornwell and Rebecca Montgomery; sister Janice Thornsbury; and children Kathy Orner, Billy Clark and Bob Clark. Per his wishes, cremation has taken place. A celebration of Elliott’s life will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at 2:00 PM at Burden & Patience-Montgomery Funeral Home (1806 East Michigan Avenue, Jackson, MI) with Reverend Michael Mason officiating. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Saturday, May 10, 2025, from 1:00 PM until the time of service.