Fred A. Cornelius

Fred A. Cornelius, 88, of Russellville, died Saturday, December 11, 2010 at his home surrounded by his family. The son of William and Paralee Yopp Cornelius, he was born June 24, 1922 in Middleton, TN. He was a 1940 graduate of Middleton High School.
Although Fred did not attend college, he was accepted into the U.S. Navys aviation training program during World War II and completed training on the Navys PBM Marlin Flying Boat. PBMs were used in anti-submarine warfare, patrol bombing, convoy escorts and search and rescue missions. In 1942 While flying his PBM, the plane crashed and was broken into two pieces. Fred and one other flight crew member survived the crash. He later recalled it as the defining moment of my life.
Lucille Pruett and Fred were married in July of 1949, making their home in Memphis. He worked for many years for Memphis Light, Gas and Water, rising to the position of plant manager, he retired in 1984. He was a member of the Agape Church and was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; a son, Wayne Morris.
He is survived by 4 children, Betty Rutherford, Memphis, TN, Johnny Morris & wife Sharon, Jacksonville, FL, Bonnie Johnson & husband Jim, Russellville, Glenn Cornelius & wife Bridget, Olive Branch, MS; 9 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren.
Graveside service will be held at 10:00AM, Wednesday, December 15, 2010 at Memphis Memorial Gardens in Memphis, Tennessee. Military honors will be rendered by the U.s. Navy.
Memorials may be made to Union Mission, 600 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38105-4510. Internet obituary and on-line guest book are available at www.humphreyfuneral.com.

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