2013-10-20

Cornwell's Memorial Service is Today

Sun, 20 Oct 2013 Cornwell's Memorial Service is Today
    
I was saddened to hear of the passing of an old friend early in the week. James Cornwell, who I have known since my time at The State-Record Company eons ago it seems passed suddenly at his home.

His health had been in decline for a number of years and he lived alone, having been discovered by a family member who came to check on him.

He was an unlikely appearing intellect having made a perfect score on the SAT and attending the prestigious Phillips Exeter Academy prior to leaving prematurely upon the death of a family member to assist his family at home.

My most notable memories of him are the intermittent discussions we had over the years and him at work -- his face a scant two inches from the monitor while adeptly clearing stories from queues on the ATEX publishing system in use at the newspaper where we both worked.

My stepfather and I had the opportunity to have breakfast with him and Charlie at the Golden Corral on Forest Dr by the main gate at Fort Jackson ... and we had always planned an encore which sadly can never happen now.

He was a typically touseled and quiet resident of the Olympia neighborhood for the vast bulk of the time I knew him ... perhaps occasionally one might perceive a lack of communication which might be construed as being 'to a fault' -- but I choose to think that he had a lot of other things with which he was preoccupied -- as do I frequently.

He was certainly one of the most interesting characters I ever met and in the 20/20 view of retrospection I could have and should have known him better if I had only tried adequately. So much time and yet we talk of killing time as though it weren't time that kills us eventually. Rest in peace, Corny. You are missed and I'll never forget you.

Mr. James Hafner Cornwell, 64

LEXINGTON A memorial service for Mr. James Hafner Cornwell will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20, at Calvary Baptist Church with the Rev. David Sealy officiating. Burial will be private. Mr. Cornwell, 64, died Friday, Oct. 11, 2013, at his home. He was born November 29, 1948.

Survivors include his brother, Glenn Cornwell of Rock Hill. The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the fellowship hall of the church.

Barron Funeral Home, 133 Wylie St., Chester, is in charge of arrangements.

By Marissa White
Tuesday, October 15, 2013 at 4:16 pm


Obituary for Mr. James Hafner Cornwell

LEXINGTON, SC

Mr. James Hafner Cornwell, 64, died Friday, October 11, 2013 at his home. A memorial service will be held 2:00 PM Sunday, October 20, 2013 at Calvary Baptist Church with Rev. David Sealy officiating. The interment will be private. The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the fellowship hall of the church.

Born November 29, 1948 in Chester, SC, Mr. Cornwell was a son of the late Hafner and Nancy Varnadore Cornwell. He was a graduate of Chester High School and University of SC in Columbia, SC and attended Phillips Exeter Academy. Mr. Cornwell was retired from the State Newspaper and was a member of Calvary Baptist Church.

He is survived by his brother, Glenn Cornwell and his wife Deborah of Rock Hill, SC; a niece, Lauren C. Wright and her husband Will of Charleston, SC; two great nephews, Liam Wright and Declan Wright both of Charleston, SC. He was preceded in death by a brother, Lucius Cornwell.

Memorials may be made to Calvary Baptist Church “Mission Fund”, 610 Calvary Church Road, Chester, SC 29706