of Cabot, AR

November 23, 1938 - March 26, 2025

Shirley Jean Mills Cornelison, 86, of Cabot, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on March 26, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Born and raised in Danville, Virginia, Shirley was the daughter of the late Margaret Lucille Thornton Mills Cline and Raymond Lee Mills.

A devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, Shirley built a beautiful life centered around faith, family, and adventure. After graduating high school, she moved to Washington, D.C., where she worked at the Pentagon and met the love of her life, Paul Kenneth Cornelison, a recent U.S. Army veteran. They married on August 1, 1959, and shared 65 cherished years together. As Paul's computer career took them across the country-from New York to North Carolina, Tennessee, and California-Shirley embraced each move with grace, creating warm and loving homes for their two children.

Shirley's kindness, sweet spirit, and love for her family were the cornerstones of her life. An avid cook, she delighted in preparing meals for those she loved, and her home was always filled with laughter, music, and the aroma of something delicious. She enjoyed sewing beautiful clothing, camping, hiking, baseball, theater, and especially country and bluegrass music. Her adventurous spirit led her to explore new places, but her greatest joy came from time spent with her family.

A faithful member of Mount Carmel Baptist Church, Shirley lived with quiet strength and unwavering love. Her husband, Paul, was her steadfast caregiver in her final years, a testament to their enduring bond.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Raymond Lloyd Mills. She is survived by her beloved husband, Paul; her children, Cathy Cornelison Sullivan and husband Robert and Michael Lee Cornelison and wife Carolyn ; her sisters, Carolyn Faye Mills Mitchell and Joyce Ann Mills; her five grandchildren and five great grandchildren, Michael Lee Cornelison Jr and wife Mishele, Katie Ann Cornelison Forbes, Daniel Jeffrey Cornelison and wife Emily, Caitlin Marie Sullivan Spry and husband Logan, and Lee Evan Sullivan; and her six great-grandchildren, Jerry Dwain Forbes, Elvis Lee Forbes, Dallas Jane Forbes, Sophia Eliana Cornelison, Laurel Evan Spry, and soon-to-arrive Evelyn Kathleen Cornelison.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Hospice Home Care and Nikki Griffin of Visiting Angels for their compassionate care, which brought comfort to Shirley in her final year.

Shirley's legacy of love, faith, and kindness will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, March 29, at 12:00 p.m. at Pat Howell Cemetery in Parnell.

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