Carolyn Marie Cornwell was born on September 12, 1941 to Roy D. and Dorothy Stephenson Campbell in Coffey County.

Carolyn graduated from Yates Center High School with the Class of 1960. She was married to Robert Jackson of Yates Center and they were later divorced. She married Larry M. Cornwell in 1967 in Yates Center. The Cornwells moved to Newton where their two sons were born, Gregory Lynn and Jeffery Todd. They later divorced. She never married again but Jerry Thomas was a great companion to her for fifteen years.

As a young wife and mother, Carolyn was a fulltime homemaker raising her sons. She was devoted to Jeff who had cystic fibrosis and required careful attention. She also held several jobs, the last as a very accomplished seamstress, retiring from Ratzliff Draperies in Gossel, Kansas. Carolyn had many talents, including sewing, cooking, and art; she loved to dabble in oil paints. One painting hung in her parents' home for many years.

In 2010, Carolyn moved to Yates Center to help with the care of her mother. She became an active member of the Senior Center where she played cards three times a week. She had a quick wit, a great sense of humor, and a competitive nature. Her new friends and the love of her pets over the years gave her comfort and companionship.

As a young person, Carolyn was baptized in the First Christian Church in Yates Center. Later, when she moved back, she renewed that faith and was a deacon and served her church faithfully. Over the past two months, in struggling with health issues, her faith and resolve were evident.

Survivors include her son Gregory and wife Sheila of Patterson, CA; grandchildren, Todd and Rebecca Cornwell, Patterson, CA; siblings, William Campbell (Roberta), Margaret Harrod (Lauren), both of Yates Center, KS, and Barbara Hays (David), Salina, KS; many nieces and nephews. Other survivors include Jerry's children, Brad Thomas, Louisville, KY, Brent (Cathy) Newton, KS, and Tina Fowler; grandson Levi Fowler, Wichita, KS.

Preceding her in death were her son Jeff, her parents, and Jerry Thomas.

Services will be held on Thursday, February 28, 2019 at the Christian Church Town Hall, 201 S. Main, Yates Center, Kansas. Burial is in Newton where she will be laid to rest beside Jeffery in Greenwood Cemetery. Graveside services will be at 2 P.M. No family visitation is planned. She will lie in state from 3 to 7 PM at the Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Sunshine Meals or Midland Hospice, sent in care of Campbell Funeral Home, 310 W. Rutledge, Yates Center, KS 66783.