Ruby Mae Cornelous, 80, passed away peacefully on August 24, 2026, surrounded by her loving family, whom she cherished so deeply. Her passing marks the end of a beautiful and faithful life filled with love, service, compassion, laughter, family, faith, and an unwavering desire to brighten the lives of everyone around her.
Ruby was born on March 28, 1946, in Washington, Georgia, to Allen Gresham and Willie Mae Wynn. From an early age, she possessed a warmth and spirit that remained with her throughout her life. She had a remarkable ability to make people feel valued, special, and loved. Ruby never met a stranger. She had a way of lighting up every room and making people feel as though they truly belonged.
At 18, Ruby’s life changed when George Washington Cornelous noticed her walking down the street. He drove around the block, determined to start a conversation. That moment began a courtship that became a lifelong love story. Ruby and George married in 1964 and remained devoted to one another until his passing in 1988. Their love became part of the foundation of the family they built together.
Ruby believed life was meant to be lived in service to others. She spent more than 40 years managing The Fireplace Shoppe in Terre Haute, where she formed genuine and lasting relationships with customers and community members. Many stopped in simply to talk with her. With her warm smile, listening ear, and sincere interest in others, Ruby could turn a simple conversation into a meaningful friendship. People came to know that they could find kindness, encouragement, and a familiar smile whenever they walked through her door.
Her compassion extended far beyond her work. Ruby worked at Normal Life Assisted Living and was involved in hospice and home health care, bringing dignity, patience, comfort, and genuine love to people during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. Through her work with the Purdue University Extension Office, she helped underserved families by teaching nutrition and providing practical knowledge, encouragement, and support. Her dedication to the community was recognized when she twice received a Small Business Award, and her accomplishments and involvement were highlighted in several Terre Haute newspaper articles. For Ruby, it was never simply about a job or a title; it was always about people and the difference she could make in their lives.
Ruby was deeply involved in her church and community. For seven years, she faithfully served as a pastor’s wife and First Lady, teaching Sunday school, serving as women’s chairperson, leading annual women’s teas, and speaking at churches and community events. She was also a faithful member of Bethlehem Temple Church for more than 10 years. Confident and expressive yet gentle and soft-spoken, Ruby drew people toward her with wisdom, humor, conviction, and compassion. She had a gift for making people feel heard and reminding them that they were never alone.
Her faith in God was the foundation of her life. She demonstrated it through love, kindness, forgiveness, generosity, and service. Through volunteer ministry, she visited nursing homes and hospitals, bringing encouragement to those who were hurting, lonely, or simply in need of a friendly face. Ruby did not merely speak about faith; she lived it in the way she cared for others.
Even when she was not feeling well, Ruby had a remarkable ability to make others feel that everything would be all right. She pushed through 10 years of cancer and difficult seasons of illness because she wanted to continue showing up for the people she loved. She remained grateful for every day, often expressing appreciation for her health, her doctors, her family, and those who supported her. Her life reflected gratitude and praise, and she never took her blessings for granted. Even in difficult moments, Ruby found a reason to thank God.
Ruby lived with the spirit expressed in Psalm 31—a life of virtue, faith, courage, trust, and devotion. She often reminded those around her, “Make Heaven your home.” She wanted her family and everyone she encountered to keep their eyes on the Lord. She often began the day by saying, “Rise and shine, give God the glory, and open the curtains.” To Ruby, each morning was another reason to give God thanks, and her joyful words often encouraged others to begin their day with the same spirit.
Family was at the center of Ruby’s heart. She loved her children and grandchildren beyond measure, celebrated their accomplishments, and took tremendous pride in watching them grow. She purchased each grandchild’s first Bible, giving them both a treasured gift and a foundation of faith. She wanted them to know that they were loved, prayed for, and surrounded by a family that believed in them.
Ruby had a special way of reminding her family that they were loved. She sent messages of encouragement simply to let them know she was thinking of them and kept extra Christmas gifts on hand so no one would feel forgotten or left out. She gave rides to neighborhood children and those in need, shared food, opened her heart and home, and cared for people as though they were family. When Ruby noticed someone struggling, she asked, “What can I do to help?” Then she did it.
Ruby was resilient, courageous, generous, faithful, and a caregiver. She was a mother not only to her own children, but to others who needed love, encouragement, guidance, or a safe place to be. Her family describes her as an incredible person, a best friend, an Angel on Earth, and one of the greatest gifts God ever gave them. To many people, Ruby was the person they could call, visit, or lean on when they needed comfort, wisdom, or simply someone who cared.
Ruby also knew how to enjoy life. She loved fashion and took pride in looking her best, especially in her Sunday best for church, family gatherings, and special occasions. She loved taking pictures and made sure everyone captured the moment together. Before leaving church or a family gathering, she could often be heard saying, “One more picture…” Those words will forever live in the memories of those who loved her, along with the smiles, laughter, and togetherness that always surrounded her.
She loved Christmas and cherished gatherings when her family could be together under one roof. She loved traveling, sunrises, trees, parks, water, ducks, and the beauty of nature. She found happiness in peaceful moments near the water, in a park, or simply taking in the world around her. Ruby noticed beauty in the ordinary and encouraged others to do the same. She often carried the words, “Bloom where you are planted,” as a reflection of how she lived. Wherever life placed her, Ruby found a way to grow, serve, love, and bring joy to others.
Cooking was one of her greatest gifts and a favorite way to express love. For Ruby, food was never simply food. It was her way of saying, “I love you. I thought about you. I enjoy our gatherings.” Her meals brought people together, and the love she put into them could be tasted in every dish, especially her pies and cobblers.
She loved her siblings dearly and made it a tradition to visit them on Sundays, taking a picture at each stop to share with others. Those visits were more than a routine; they were a reflection of Ruby’s belief that family should remain close and that love should be shown through presence. She also shared a special relationship with her 91-year-old Aunt Bessie, speaking with her at least three times a week and keeping that cherished bond strong. Ruby understood the value of staying connected, checking in, and making sure the people she loved knew they mattered.
Ruby believed happiness could be found in what mattered most: her grandchildren, God, and her family, no matter what circumstances life brought. She did not need much to be happy. The presence of the people she loved, a good conversation, a family gathering, a beautiful sunrise, or a moment of prayer could fill her heart with joy.
Her children will forever remember her wisdom and hugs, her bravery, and the way she taught them about God. They will remember her laughter, conversations, cooking, Sunday visits, fashion, photographs, Christmas spirit, and insistence on taking “one more picture.” They will remember the way she encouraged them, prayed for them, celebrated them, and loved them through every season of life. Most of all, they will remember their mother as a woman who loved God and loved people.
After 80 years of loving, giving, serving, praying, teaching, encouraging, cooking, laughing, embracing, and blessing countless lives, Ruby has gone home.
Ruby Mae Cornelous was a woman of faith, family, service, and love. She bloomed where she was planted, gave God the glory, and has now made heaven her home. Her love will continue through the family she raised, the people she helped, the lessons she taught, and the countless lives she touched.
Ruby was preceded in death by her parents, Allen Gresham and Willie Mae (Wynn) Rice; her forever love and husband, George Cornelous; brother, Donnie Gresham; sister and brother-in-law, Anna and Clarence Bell Sr.; fathers- and mothers-in-law, James and Mary Grady and David and Susie Cornelous; and brother-in-law, Jesse Smith.
She leaves behind to cherish her memory four sons, Danny Cornelous (Tammie), Leland Cornelous (Diana), Robin Cornelous, and David Cornelous; two daughters, Lisa Glass and Pyris Lemon (Donald); two bonus sons, Curt and Leonard Cornelius; 14 grandchildren—Abraham, Justin, Sierra, Ashton, Tyler, Trey, Chante, Chalaya, Cherish, Chauniece, Miles, Braylon, Elijah, and Alexis; three great-grandchildren, Avyion, Kaden, and Arzyion; two brothers, Jack Gresham and David Gresham; four sisters, Dorothy Carter (Terry), Barbara Gresham, Marjorie Smith, and Patricia Mason (Devin); and many nieces, nephews, and cousins, along with countless friends, church family, former colleagues, neighbors, and community members whose lives were better because Ruby was part of them.
She will forever be treasured, deeply loved, and profoundly missed. Her family will carry her memory in their hearts, her faith in their lives, and her love wherever they go.
Her family gives thanks to God for the life she lived and the family she grew. Though their hearts are heavy with her absence, they find comfort knowing that Ruby’s faith carried her home.
“We love you, Mom. You have received your wings and your crown.” Rest peacefully.
A visitation will be held at Roselawn Funeral Home, 7500 North Clinton Street, Terre Haute, IN 47805, US, on September 4, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. A Funeral Service will be held at Bethlehem Temple Church, 1432 S 13th St, Terre Haute, IN 47802, US, on September 5, 2026, from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm. A Committal Service will be held at Highland Lawn Cemetery, Terre Haute, IN 47803, US, on September 5, 2026, from 1:30 pm to 2:00 pm.
