Carolyn June Cornwell

Carolyn was known as Carol to friends, but Meme to those who loved her most. If you asked anyone who knew her to describe her, the words that came to mind were spunky, sassy, ornery, and funny. She was one of a kind when it came to feisty comebacks and loved making people laugh.

Carolyn was born in Kansas City, Missouri. She met the love of her life, Gerald “Jerry” Cornwell, when she was just 16 years old. He saw her sitting on a porch and thought she was beautiful. He asked her on a date, and the rest is history. On September 22, 1962, the two were wed and began decades of a beautiful, loving marriage.

In that marriage, they had three children: Ricky, Tracy, and Stephanie. Carolyn was a stay-at-home mom until 1976, when she took a part-time job as a clerk at Sears Roebuck and Company. That job ended up being something she truly enjoyed, and she met many great friends while working there. Working in the jewelry department was a perfect fit for her because, boy, did she love her sparkly baubles! She could have opened her own jewelry store and had enough to stock it!

In 1983, due to a job change, they packed up their things and moved to Carbondale, Kansas, and eventually landed in Topeka.

Sadly, they lost their beloved son, Ricky, in 2004. It was a heartbreaking loss for the family, but they leaned into one another and, with love and support, eventually healed.

Carolyn and Jerry had a number of life changes over the last couple of years due to their deteriorating health. But throughout it all, she faced every challenge with great strength and took those changes in stride. Despite her declining health over the last year, Carolyn remained positive and upbeat and never lost her sense of humor. She never complained about her health, always saying she felt fine, even when those who loved her knew she didn’t.

Carolyn shared a very special bond with her sister, Gayle Haskins. Living in different states made it challenging, but they never missed their daily 5:30 pm phone call. Even if there was nothing new to report, they loved hearing each other’s voices, and Meme was always ready to hear any gossip! They were not only sisters but lifelong friends who were always there for each other.

More than anything, she loved her family. When her grandchildren Scott, Paige, Dawson, and Max were young and involved in activities, she rarely missed an event. Whether it was cheering on Scott at a wrestling tournament, watching Paige dance or play ball, watching Dawson act in a school play, or seeing Max play soccer, she loved all of it! Due to distance, she didn’t see her grandsons Eric and Billy as often, but Carolyn loved them dearly. She was extremely proud of all of them and wasn’t shy about telling people how amazing her grandkids were.

In 2018, Carolyn’s family discovered her brother, Ty Capell, through a DNA test. Once they met in person, we knew they were siblings because they are so much alike! We are thankful for the trips Ty and his wife, Jeanne, made from California several times to visit his newly discovered family. It was a connection that was truly special.

Carolyn leaves behind the love of her life, Gerald “Jerry” Cornwell; her daughters, Tracy Hill (Jerry) and Stephanie Perry (Brandon); her grandchildren, Billy Moore, Eric Cornwell (Kathy), Scott, Paige, and Dawson Carlat, and Maxwell Hill; her great-grandchildren, Kaya and Jace Moore and Kaden and Serena Cornwell; her sister, Gayle Haskins; her brother, Ty Capell (Jeanne); and her nephew, John Fry (Kimberly).

Carolyn was preceded in death by her beloved son, Ricky Cornwell; her brother, David Caynor; her parents, Jewell Day and Virginia Owen; and her nephew, Jimmy Fry.

In keeping with Carolyn’s love of family, her loved ones will gather for a private celebration of life to share memories, laughter, and stories in her honor.

We will miss an amazing wife, mother, and grandmother more than words can say. She was always the life of the party, the light of the family, and everything to those who loved her. We will all continue to say her phrases of “gonna get around,” “little snit,” and “it’ll all come out in the wash,” and, most of all, remember her positive attitude. She’s truly missed, but we are grateful she’s no longer suffering.

If Carolyn were signing off this one last time, she would leave us with the same two words she wrote on countless cards and messages:

“Loves ya.”