Helen Jean Cornwell

Helen Jean (Slater) Cornwell was born to George and Doshey (Highfill) Slater in Olive, Missouri on October 26, 1923. She passed away September 10, 2017 at the age of 93. She faithfully attended Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church where she was a member most of her life. She was a very devout mother, grandmother, and wife, married to Paul Cornwell for 69 years. Even though she was a stay at home mom she was never idle, always working with a productive project like gardening, canning, or sewing. She was known for her baking; especially doughnuts and coconut cream pies and often made a special dessert for each family member at the holiday feasts she prepared on her own, all the way to her 88th year of life. Even after she was confined to a wheelchair at 89, and only had the use of one arm, she continued to make homemade doughnuts and cinnamon bread. She enjoyed gardening and took pride in the beauty of her work and the effort of freezing and canning her crops. She was a very good seamstress, making quilts and clothing for her children and grandchildren throughout her lifetime. As a farm girl she was a hard worker and was never afraid to tackle a task far beyond what her small stature seemed could be done. She was a doer and was always helping her family with wallpapering a house or giving a home perm. When someone needed help, she was there. She will be missed by all who knew her. She is preceded in death by her husband Lawrence Paul Cornwell, son-in-law Bob Dickerson, both parents, one grandchild Alicia Dickerson, 2 sisters Opal Agee and Hazel Breshears, three brothers Clyde Slater, Bert Slater and Loyd Slater, two nieces Wanda Booth and Virginia Reed, two nephews, Eugene Slater and Hank Slater. She is survived by two daughters, Janice Sue Dickerson and Linda Kay Eastburn. One granddaughter Angel Sue Labbee and her husband Terry Labbee, two great-grandchildren, Zachary Robert Brown and Amanda Kristen Brown, and two step great grandchildren Stephen Labbee and Terry Glen Labbee. One niece Barbara Bain and two nephews David Wingo and Bill Slater, two sisters-in-law Juanita Murphy and Geneva Outlaw, along with numerous great nieces, nephews, and cousins. Funeral Services will be conducted on Friday, September 15, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at the Cantlon Otterness Funeral Home with Rev. Donnie Lane officiating. Visitation will be held from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Music will be conducted by Ben Bain and Jean Grisham. Interment will take place in Mt. Olive Cemetery under the direction of the Cantlon Otterness Funeral Home of Buffalo.

Helen Jean Cornwell

October 26, 1923 - September 10, 2017