Rev. Clarence Cornish

Friday, October 26, 2018
Rev. Clarence Cornish

Rev. Clarence Cornish of Monette departed from this earth on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018, at his home. He was born Nov. 22, 1926, in Monette. His life was a life of service by putting others needs above his own. We will never know how many lives were positively affected by his jail ministry, food pantry, hospital visitation and missionary work, etc.

Rev. Cornish was called to the ministry at approximately age 33 and pastored for around 36 years at Refuge, Mt. Pleasant and Nunnery Baptist Churches. During that time he farmed, wrote three books, toured the Holy Land and did missionary work in the Philippines. Rev. Cornish enjoyed gardening, fishing, and hunting on his land in Pocahontas. He enjoyed telling jokes and sharing laughter with others. He was at his happiest when witnessing and sharing the gospel of Christ.

Clarence was preceded in death by his parents and two sons, John Wesley Cornish and Douglas Clarence Cornish.

He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Pauline Perkins Cornish; daughters and their husbands, Kathy and Joe Ferguson of Jonesboro, Janet and Dannie McFarland of Needham, and Shirley and Barry Miller of Steele, Mo.; sons and their wives, Tony and Gina Cornish of Pocahontas and Ernest and Kathy Cornish of Monette; sisters, Lela Riley and Ollie Emmerick; grandchildren, Hollie Boyett, Kim Cantrell, Matthew Cornish, Jessica McMillin, Wesley Cornish, Ryan Cornish, Adam Cornish, Candyce Tims, Derek Cornish, Tyler Cornish, Jessica Majors, Jennifer Majors, Douglas McFarland, Ashton Milam and Mandy Hickey; 25 great-grandchildren, Judd Cornish, Haden Preston, Morgan Preston, Lee Tims, Grady Tims, JoAnna Tims, Eli Tims, Clara Tims, Stella Tims, Ranse Tims, Ida Tims, Knox Milam, Vivian Milam, Annabell Milam, Jonas Milam, John Morgan Cornish, Eden Cornish, James Cornish, Jessica Boyett, Olivia Cornish, Wyatt Cornish, Luc Hickey, Mazie Hickey, Maddy Cantrell and Charli Cantrell.

The family received friends from 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, at Refuge Baptist Church near Lake City. A celebration of his life was held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28, at Refuge Baptist Church with Revs. Earnest Cornish and Don Tims officiating. Interment followed at Monette Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Gregg Funeral Home of Monette.

Honored to serve as pallbearers were Wesley Cornish, Ryan Cornish, Adam Cornish, Douglas McFarland, Tyler Cornish, Derek Cornish and Matthew Cornish and as honorary pallbearers, Jake Gilley, Lee Barrett, A.C. Daniels, Leamon Lee and Pat Bader.

Lasting memorials may be sent to Refuge Baptist Church or Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church.

Online: www.greggfh.com