Pearl Cornelius

Pearlia May Cornelius, age 96, of Paola, passed away April 13, 2010, at the North Point Care Center. Pearl was born October 1, 1913, in Walla Walla, WA, to Martin and Effie Mae Link Poland. She graduated from high school in Wichita, KS. On May 22, 1936, she was united in marriage to Lee Cornelius in Wichita. Pearl lived in Kansas City during the war and was employed at the North American Aviation Company in Kansas City, MO. After the war, in the mid 40"s, she moved to Paola with her husband and was a bookkeeper for his construction business for many years. She later worked as a salesperson at the Merry-Go Round Clothing Store on the Square before going to the Paola Lumber and Coal and working as a bookkeeper there until her retirement at age 80. Pearl loved her roses and enjoyed gardening, cooking, especially her sour dough bread, and in the early years, riding horses. She will be greatly missed by family and friends. Preceding her in death were her parents; husband; brothers, Jay, Wilbur, and Louis Poland; sisters, Edna McPherson, and Elsie Poland; foster son, Kenny Dees; and foster grandchild, Patricia Pearl Dees. Surviving is one sister, Mary Mills of Midwest City, OK; many nieces and nephews; foster son, Richard Bennett of Paola; foster grandchildren, Debbie Beachboard, Tammy Johnson, Corey Bennett, David Dees; and 8 foster great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the Hospice of Kansas Paola Cemetery Service: Graveside Service Thursday, April 15, 2010 12:30 PM Visitation: Thursday, April 15, 2010 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM