Franklin D. Cornelius

Franklin D Cornelius, better known as Buddy/Pop/Popa of Rienzi, formerly of Tate County was born March 2nd, 1934 and died Thursday, May 16th, 2019, God blessed us with him for 85 wonderful years. Buddy leaves behind his wife, Jerry Cornelius; sons, Jimmy Cornelius of Rienzi, MS, Jon Parker (Carla) of Saltillo, MS; 5 granddaughters, Amber Sowell, Angela Martin, Rockeal Cornelius, Linda George, and Alayna Parker; 5 grandsons, Chad Parker, Cody Parker, Jonathan Mercer, Jeremy Cornelius, and Joshua Cornelius, and 12 great grandchildren. (Maybe more we lost count) To know bud was to love him, he always knew how to put a smile on your face, he was a funny guy and always made jokes. His laugh was one in a million. Buddy was a carpenter, he retired from 61 Cabinet Shop in 1988, he lost a couple ends of his fingers and enjoyed scaring his grandchildren with his nubs; he always smelled like wood from working in the shop. He loved fishing and gardening; he grew the best squash around. Potato salad and cornbread was his favorite foods and he always had a pocket full of Werther’s candy. He was the giver of bone crushing hugs that his grandkids could never get enough of. If his TV was on, it would be on westerns or sports. He loved to watch and play basketball. His love had no limits, he loved big and would always let you know! He would always argue that he loved you most. Because he’s bigger. He gave the best advice and the person you always turned to. He life motto was: Hope for the best but prepare for the worst, take each day as it comes, make the best of it, because we’re all going to go when it’s our tome to go. Buddy is reunited with his two children, Gina Sowell and Howard Lee Cornelius; his parents, and his siblings in heaven. To say he’d be missed is an understatement. Forever in our hearts, may he now Rest in Peace. Visitation will be held Tuesday, May 21, 2019 from 1pm until the funeral service begins at 2pm, all at Brantley Funeral Home, 6875 Cockrum St. Olive Branch, MS. Interment will follow in Mt. Zion Cemetery, Independence, MS.