Elizabeth Geraldine “Gerry” Cornell

Elizabeth Geraldine "Gerry" Cornell, 91 of Williamstown, passed away on Tuesday, October 11, 201 1, at Harmar Place in Marietta, after a long struggle with Alzheimer's.

The only daughter of Chester A. and Myrtle Julia Haught Porter, she was born on March 3 1, 1920, with her twin brother Chester Eugene at their home in Fly, OH. She graduated from Matamoras High School in 1938. Gerry graduated from WV Business College in Clarksburg, WV. She was employed by the Selective Service System in Woodsfield, OH during World War II. On June 20,1959, Gerry married Earnest C. Cornell. He preceded her in death on October 10, 2001. She left working at Brothers Furniture store to raise their daughter, Julia Faye "Judy''. Gerry was a 50-year member of Augusta Rebekah Lodge and a charter member of the Past Noble Grands Club. She was a member of Williams Creek Baptist Church in Williamstown.

She survived by her daughter Judy and her husband Dean Lewis, and two granddaughters, Bethany and Ashley of Williamstown, with whom she lived with for the past ten years.  Gerry and Earnest helped raise their granddaughters.  Also surviving is her sister-in-law Nellie Porter, also of Harmar Place, her son Jeffrey and his wife Becky, nephew Steve Porter, cousin Pamela S. Cutright and her husband Roger Hunter.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Eugene, her brother Ray and his wife Pat.
The family would like to extend a special thank-you to the staff at the Haven at Harmar Place for their excellent care they gave Gerry.

Services will be held at McClure-Schafer-Lankford Funeral Home on Saturday at 10:00 am with Pastor Scott Shawver officiating. Burial will follow in New Matamoras Cemetery in New Matamoras. Visitation will begin at the funeral home on Friday from 2 – 4 and 6-8. The family requests memorial donations be made to the Alzheimer's Walk c/o Harmar Place.