Beverly Ann Cornelison, 82, Aunt B to many, and Nanni to her children and grandchildren, died on February 10, 2021, spending her final days at the John Knox Village Care Center. She passed away after a long battle with COPD and departed in much the same way she lived her life with grace, courage, and a certain amount of contrariness.
She was born in Higginsville, MO to William and Marion Collins on October 27, 1938, the youngest of four children. She moved to Kansas City in 1947 and graduated from the old Manual High School in 1956. Soon after she went to work for REA Express Company where she stayed until they closed in 1975. She later worked for the Union Pacific Railroad and Montgomery Ward.
She married Charles “Chuck” Cornelison in 1960 and together they raised three children. After Chuck passed away in 1986, Beverly again found love with Jerry “Jake” Wilhelm whom she was with for more than 30 years. Later, they built a house together on Table Rock Lake in Eagle Rock, MO and enjoyed a number of years hosting her kids and grandkids at her beloved home away from home.
Beverly had an entrepreneurial spirit, opening the Circle C Pet and Feed Store in Kansas City, MO operating from the late 1980s through the early 1990s. She got the bug again and started Aunt B’s Funnel Cakes, traveling in her converted trailer to small town and county fairs throughout the region.
Beverly loved to travel enjoying a number of trips from coast to coast. She also traveled to Canada, Ireland, Korea, and Mexico which included a visit to Chichén-Itzá. And just a few years ago was able to travel to China where she walked the Great Wall by herself, a true testament to her adventurous nature.
Beverly maintained her curiosity and was an advocate for her own health throughout her life. An avid reader, she was versed in history, politics, and current events and never shied from engaging others in a spirited debate.
She is survived by her sons, Jack Cornelison of Greenwood, MO, and Christopher Cornelison of Holden, MO; daughters-in-law, Lisa and Tracy Cornelison; her brother, Russell Collins; sister-in-law, Zora Collins, of North Kansas City, MO; grandchildren, Collin Cornelison, Delaney Cornelison, and Kayley Cornelison; niece and nephew, Susan Burns (Terry) of Poulsbo, WA and Michael Collins (Sherry), Parkville, MO; and her companion, Jake Wilhelm of the home, as well as countless close friends and those she befriended. She is proceeded in death by her parents; brothers, William and Thomas Collins; stepdaughter, Linda Parkinson of Jefferson City.
The memorial service is private due to the pandemic. Please consider a donation to Phoenix Family, located in Kansas City, MO.
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