Gilbert Cornwell Jr.

1944 - 2021

Gilbert Greene Cornwell Jr., the only child of Dorothy Mae (Dot) Spiller Cornwell and Gilbert Greene Cornwell Sr. is being remembered with a Celebration of Life ceremony on Sunday.

Gilbert was born on March 18, 1944, in Bangor, Maine while his father was deployed to the European Theater during World War II.

The Cornwells were a prominent Yell County family and Gilbert had a golden childhood growing up in Dardanelle and on Mt. Nebo. Gilbert had his first small business on Mt. Nebo as a child, running his own general store. He was also active in local rodeos as a barrel racer and played football for the Dardanelle Sand Lizards.

Gilbert graduated from Dardanelle High School in 1962 and then attended the University of Arkansas where he pledged Kappa Sigma fraternity. He graduated from Arkansas Tech University in 1967 and did graduate work at Memphis State University in Memphis, Tenn.

On Oct. 30, 1965, he married Ann Hindsman of Russellville. During their marriage they lived in Russellville, Memphis and Houston, but their home was North Little Rock, where they raised their three children. Gilbert began his career in sales for W.R. Moore Wholesale Company in Memphis, Tenn. He continued his sales career as a clothing salesman for Mann, Inc., and Faded Glory in Houston, Texas, and North Little Rock. In 1978 he helped start Silverwood Products with his lifelong friend, Fabulous XI Big Brother and business partner Frank Fletcher. Gilbert traveled extensively in his roles in sales.

Gilbert never let the truth stand in the way of a good story. He had a jovial sense of humor and was always the light in the room and the life of the party. Gilbert and Ann were beautiful dance partners who impressed many through the years. In Gilbert's retirement he spent many years with James Liles and Jim Price as a cowboy, riding horses, trail rides, cutting competitions and chuckwagon races. Gilbert also enjoyed campaigning for his cousin Bill Clinton starting in New Hampshire in the 1992 primaries and across the country as a proud member of the Arkansas Travelers and Friends of Bill groups. Gilbert and Buddy Matson loved sharing their expertise at the "Table of Knowledge" at Julie's restaurant. If you asked them they were experts on any and everything.

Gilbert is survived by his wife, Ann, of North Little Rock; son, Brett Lawrence Cornwell of Mt. Nebo and Lafayette, La.; daughter, Amber Cornwell Pinter (Ben) of Fayetteville; daughter, Arden Cornwell Johnson (Steve) of Atlanta, Ga.; and daughter-in-law, Diane Blanton Cornwell, of College Station, Texas.

Gilbert was very proud of his grandchildren, Madison Cornwell of College Station, Texas, Ryan (Shelby) Pinter of Marietta, Ga., Andrew (Rylee) Pinter of Atlanta, Ga., Catherine Pinter and John Pinter, both of Fayetteville; and step-grandchildren, Amanda Johnson Marino (Matt), Andrew Johnson, and Michael Johnson. He has two adorable great-grandchildren, Jane and Bennett Pinter of Marietta, Ga. Gilbert also has six first cousins, who were more like brothers and sisters, who survive him.

A visitation will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday. A Celebration of Life service will follow at 2 p.m. at Cornwell Funeral Home, 207 Quay, Dardanelle.

Arrangements are handled by Cornwell Funeral Home in Dardanelle.

In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to the Mt. Nebo Sunday School, P.O. Box 304, Dardanelle, AR 72834.

Online guestbook and condolences available at www.cornwellfuneralhomes.com.