Jo Nell Cornett

Jo Nell Cornett (age 97) of Knox City, Texas passed away on June 13, 2023.    She was a long-time resident of Knox County, Texas and farmed with her husband, Clifford Holly Cornett in Knox, and Haskell Counties continuously since 1946.  Jo Nell was born in Knox City on March 8, 1926, to Roy B. Carver and Molly LaVerta Carver.  She was the second child of four daughters, Flora Helen Carver Roberts, Janice Laquita Carver Lankford, and Patsy Ruth Carver Hanson.  Jo Nell received many blessings from God, including having her good health, her happy spirit, and her good memory until just 2 months prior to her passing.  With the help of some of her close friends, who are all angels, Jo Nell was able to live independently in her own home for 97 years.  She was well known and was a highly respected member of the Knox County community.

Jo Nell met Clifford when they were elementary school students at Union Grove School in Knox County.  Both graduated from Knox City High School, where Jo Nell was Valedictorian of her high school graduating class.  Since all able-bodied men were being inducted into the military at that time, Jo Nell and Clifford decided to marry before Clifford was drafted.  Soon the notice came for Clifford to report for induction, and he chose to serve in the US Navy during World War II.  They were married on October 9, 1943, and honeymooned one night at the Kemp Hotel in Wichita Falls, Texas. Early the next day, they drove home to drive a combine.  Clifford was stationed in San Diego and Oakland, California during the war.  Jo Nell joined him and worked in Oakland.  After the war ended and Clifford was discharged the couple moved back to Knox City, Texas where they farmed and raised their family.

In 1946, Jo Nell, Clifford and Clifford’s dad, W. H. Cornett, all worked together, sawed the lumber, and drove the nails to build their home just southeast of Knox City on Cornett family land.  Jo Nell and Clifford lived there continuously until Clifford passed away in 2013.  Their home was remodeled and enlarged in the 1970’s, and Jo Nell continued to live in the same home in the same location until her last illness beginning in April 2023.

She was active in the family farming operation taking a keen interest in the crops, farming activities, finances and giving praise for rain when it came and the resulting good crops.  Jo Nell was a housewife and loyal partner to her husband, Clifford Cornett.  They were married for 70 years plus 6 months.  Two children were born to their marriage:  William Holly (Bill) Cornett of Amarillo, Texas and Molly Gail Cornett Etheredge of Abilene, Texas.

Jo Nell was a faithful member and the longest continuous member of First Baptist Church Knox City, having been a member for more than 76 years, where she taught youth Sunday School for over 10 years.  She was a member of Eastern Star, the Small Business Development Committee for 4 years and assisted with the Heart Drive for many years.  She loved her friends at Senior Citizen’s Knox City, for the food, the games, and the caring she received and gave there.    She loved Bridge and playing games.

Jo Nell was preceded in death by both her parents, her husband and two sisters, Flora Helen Roberts, and Janice Laquita Lankford.  She is survived by her sister, Pat Hanson, her son, Bill Cornett and wife Sherri Bryant Cornett, and her daughter Gail Etheredge and husband Ray Etheredge, five grandchildren:  William Bryant Cornett and wife Mary Pillow Robertson Cornett, Matt Etheredge and wife Bethany Etheredge, Will Etheredge and wife Dr. Carrie Etheredge, Curt Cornett and wife Amanda Cornett and Molly Bellah.  She is survived by twelve great grandchildren:  William Spade Cornett, Mary Dudley Cornett, Lucy Etheredge, Jett Etheredge, Lane Etheredge, Hudson Cornett, Ford Bellah, Molly Greer Bellah, Channing Holly Cornett, Jace Paris, Jett Paris, and Jaxx Creek.

Jo Nell was known as “Gran” and “G-Gran” to her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She taught them to play dominos, cards, checkers, and many other games.  She made them better by always being hard for them to beat.  Jo Nell’s gift to her children was she always had a word of praise, a word of encouragement and the message to her children that they can be the best.    Her message to all of us is:

“I have run the race and kept the faith, I am passing the torch, now step up to the plate.”

Jo Nell’s family will be receiving friends and relatives at the Smith Family Funeral Home in Knox City on Sunday, June 18, 2023, from 4 until 5 p.m. A Memorial Service celebrating Jo Nell’s life will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, June 19, 2023, at the First Baptist Church in Knox City under the direction of Tankersley Funeral Home in Stamford, TX.

Memorials may be made in Jo Nell’s memory to the First Baptist Church, PO Box 355, Knox City, TX 79529.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.tankersleyfuneralhome.com.