Clifford Holly Cornett

Clifford Holly Cornett (88) of Knox City, Texas passed away on April 17, 2013. Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, April 20, 2013 at the First Baptist Church in Knox City, under the direction of Tankersley Funeral Home of Stamford. The family will be receiving friends at the Smith Funeral Home in Knox City on Friday from 7 until 8 p.m.
Clifford was born January 2, 1925 in Knox City, Texas to William Henry and S. A. Cornett. He married Jo Nell Carver on October 9, 1943 in Munday, Texas.
Clifford was a farmer and rancher in Knox and Haskell County for his entire life. He raised cotton, wheat, milo and cattle for over 70 years in Knox and Haskell County, Texas. He was a member of Knox City First Baptist Church for 76 years and served as a deacon for 52 years, he sang in the church choir and served for a time as part-time song director. He served in the US Navy in World War II and was stationed in San Diego, California. He was a 32nd Degree Mason for 64 years. He was on the Knox City Independent School District Board for six years and was on the Knox County School Board for 4 years and was a member of the Wichita-Brazos Soil & Water Conservation District Board for over 30 years.
His parents were married in Knox County and established their home and farming operations there. Clifford had a large network of friends and family in the Knox City area.
Clifford was optimistic and enjoyed life and his family. He was a good farmer who took pride in his land and crops. He saw beauty in a level field with healthy growing crops and no weeds. He spent much of his life praying for rain. His great nieces and nephews would say, “Let’s go to church and hear Clifford pray for rain.”
He loved his wife, Jo Nell who survives him. Their marriage of 69 years ended with his death. Clifford loved his family and friends and enjoyed his church. He gave back to the community with his civic responsibilities. He was well known and loved in the Knox City community.
He is survived by his wife, Jo Nell, his daughter, Gail Cornett Etheredge and her husband, Ray of Abilene, Texas, his son Bill Cornett and his wife Sherri of Amarillo, Texas, five grandchildren, Bryant Cornett and wife Mary Pillow of Atlanta, Georgia, Matt Etheredge and wife Bethany of Midland, Texas, Will Etheredge and wife Dr. Carrie Etheredge of Austin, Texas, Curt Cornett and wife Rachel of Amarillo, Texas and Molly Etheredge Bellah and husband Brad of Throckmorton, Texas, six great grandchildren, William Cornett, Mary Dudley Cornett, Lucy Etheredge, Jett Etheredge, Hudson Cornett and Jacobie Barrett, and many nephews and nieces.