Mrs. Leona Cornwell: Obituary

Leona Cornwell, age 91 of Murphy, NC passed away Tuesday, November 15, 2016 at Murphy Medical Center.

She was a native and lifelong resident of Cherokee County, NC and the daughter of the late Colonel Ernest Harding and Rhoda Ledford Harding. During World War II she was an electrical inspector for airplane bombers. Leona was a life time member of the Murphy First Baptist Church and sang in the choir. She was a member of the Murphy First Baptist Church Birthday Club and a member of the Business Professional Women’s Club.

In addition to her parents she was preceded by her husband, Burton “B.B.” Cornwell; two brothers, Cecil and Winfred Harding and one sister, Inez Carroll. She is survived by four daughters, Debra Palmer and husband Roy of Brasstown, Sandra Hyatt and husband Bass of Brasstown, Bebeie McClure and husband Kenneth of Marble and Rhonda Owenby and husband Dennis of Fairview, NC; one sister, Irene Mundy and husband Randle of Murphy; eight grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be held at 2 PM, Friday, November 18, 2016 at the Townson-Rose Funeral Home Chapel in Murphy. Pastor Jimmy Tanner will officiate. Burial will be in the Greenlawn Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends from 1-2 PM, Friday, November 18, 2016 at the Townson-Rose Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Murphy First Baptist Church, 517 Hiwassee Street, Murphy, NC 28906.

You may send tributes to the Cornwell family at www.townson-rose.com

Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.

You may send tributes to the family at www.mem.com