Mary Wilson Cornell

HANNIBAL, Mo. -- Mary Wilson Cornell, 86, of Hannibal died Friday (Oct. 22, 2010) in Bickford Cottage Assisted Living Home in Quincy.

Mrs. Cornell was born Feb. 3, 1924, in Hope, Ark., to Robert Manton and Virginia Reed Wilson. Mary was married to Russell Bernard Cornell on Jan. 7, 1950, in Hope. He died Feb. 23, 2010.

Mrs. Cornell graduated from Hope High School in Hope. She received a B.A. in mathematics in 1945 from University of Texas in Austin, Texas. Mrs. Cornell attended University of Arkansas for two years and was a member of Chi Omega sorority. She worked in Washington D.C. during World War II then completed her education at University of Texas. Her husband, Russell B. Cornell, was a geophysicist with Mobil Oil Co. for 38 years. They lived in Midland, Texas, from 1950-1972, Houston, Texas, from 1972-1976, Dallas, Texas, from 1976-2003 and then moved to Hannibal.

Mrs. Cornell was always an active member of the Presbyterian Church and sang in their choir for many years. She enjoyed her life as a homemaker, watercolor artist, needle pointer, and antique fan collector.

Mrs. Cornell was the International President of FANA from 1994-1996. FANA is a U.S. and European Fan Collecting Assoc. She and her husband enjoyed their trips abroad to their meetings.

Mrs. Cornell was also a member of the Dallas Watercolor Society, Southwest Watercolor Society, Richardson Civic Art Society, Chi Omega Alums, Mobil Spouses Club, James Campbell Chapter of NSDAR in Dallas, John Chew Chapter of Daughters of the American Confederacy, and Dallas Museum of Art. Mrs. Cornell spent many volunteer hours working as a docent for Old City Park in Dallas and enjoyed her duplicate bridge group and book club. After moving to Hannibal in 2003, she joined the First Presbyterian Church, G.F.W.C. Woman's Club of Hannibal, and Hannibal Heritage Chapter of NSDAR.

She is survived by her daughter, Julia Cornell Behrens and her husband, James R. Behrens, of Hannibal; two grandchildren, James C. Behrens of Los Angeles, Calif., and Katherine E. Behrens of Dallas.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the employees of Bickford Cottage and her group of Hannibal sitters who have been so loyal and devoted to Mrs. Cornell.

SERVICES: 11 a.m. Monday in the Smith Funeral Home and Chapel, Hannibal, with the Rev. Steve Adkison conducting. Burial will be at a later date in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne, N.Y. Honorary pallbearers will be James C. Behrens, James R. Behrens, Edward G. Behrens, Mitchell LaGrone and John W. Briscoe.

VISITATION: 10 a.m. until time of services Monday in the funeral home.

MEMORIALS: First Presbyterian Church, Hannibal or the Alzheimer's Association in care of Smith Funeral Home, 2619 St. Mary's Ave., Hannibal, MO 63401.

ARRANGEMENTS: Smith Funeral Home and Chapel, Hannibal.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.whig.com.