Penni Bell-Cornell

Lavina Ellen Albright, Bell, Cornell, AKA Penni Bell-Cornell passed away on July 11, 2020 in Forney, Texas. Penni was born to Neva and Eugene Albright on February 2, 1936 in Des Moines, IA. At the age of 16 years old, she lived with her Uncle Don and Aunt Leona Stanfel and graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy for Girls in 1954 in Des Moines, IA. Penni worked many years in an office as an Executive Secretary and also restaurants and lounges. She married Donald E. Cornell June 26, 1983.

Penni loved to sit and sing along with country western bands in and around Denver. She was President of the Elks Lodge 3 different years. She loved decorating especially during the holidays and at Laraden Hall. She also worked Bingo games, funeral dinners, and decorated the VA entertainment area at Christmas time. She loved family and friends and she showed her love every year at the Albright family reunion in Iowa. The family always looked forward to her contagious laugh and hugs that you could feel for days. She enjoyed going to Casinos and visiting with everyone she met. She didn’t seem to know a stranger and she would make friends with them all. Her pride and joy was her constant four legged companion, Buddy.

Left to cherish her memory are her children Melody Castleberry, Carl Erickson, Pamela Contreras (Troy Malaise),) and James “Jymi” Bell (Michael Whysong), Shawn Bell (Maria), Denisa (Scott), Teresa Bruntz (Ed), Linda Jones. Sisters, Beverly Shultz of Tulsa, OK, and Cheryl Lord (George Nichols) of Seymour, IA. Several Grandchildren and great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other family friends.

Preceding her in death are her parents; husband, Don Cornell; sister, Jacqueline Nichols and brothers Thomas and Robert Albright; and grandson, Rocky Contreras.

Ecclesiastes 3 1-4

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens, a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time a dance…

Matthew 11:28-30

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”