Joyce Fern Cornelius, 80, of rural Middletown, passed away at 2:04 p.m., Thursday, April 20, 2017 at Boone Hospital Center in Columbia, Missouri.

Mrs. Cornelius was born August 9, 1936 on the family farm, in rural Middletown, Missouri, a daughter of Robert Sidney and Roxie Louisa (Angel) Dreon.

She was a 1954 graduate of Wellsville High School.

On August 5, 1954, in the State of Mississippi, she married Robert Lee "Bob" Cornelius, sharing almost 60 years of marriage together. Joyce had lived on Bob's family farm in rural Middletown since they were married. He preceded her in death on June 28, 2014.

Joyce was a cook at Wellsville-Middletown R-1 Schools from 1987 until retiring in 2015, working over 28 years. All of the students and teachers loved to see her and especially enjoyed tasting her homemade cinnamon rolls. Joyce enjoyed spoiling the teachers with cakes, pies and cookies. Almost every student and some teachers called her "mom" or "grandma."

She was well known for her burnt caramel cakes and everyone fought to bid on them at the benefit auctions. Joyce also enjoyed baking pies, making candy, wedding mints and homemade ice cream. She loved entertainment, especially going to country music shows. Joyce was always up for a challenge, whether it was playing card games with her family or doing word search puzzles. More than anything, Joyce loved the time she got to spend with her family and especially enjoyed watching all of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren play sports as well as any activity they were involved in. She was a very genuine woman with a kind soul and giving heart to those that knew her.

Joyce is survived by her five children and spouses, Kenneth Lee and Julie Cornelius, of Perry, Karen Joyce and Gene Whyte, of Montgomery City, Kathy Diane Nichols and fiance' Russell Borts, of Mexico, Sheryl Lynn and Brice Gregory, of Fulton and Scott Alan and Paula Cornelius, of Middletown; ten grandchildren, Robert and Kim James, of Silex, Matthew and Courtney James, of Montgomery City, Kyle James and fiancee' Jessi Alderson, of Montgomery City, Kristopher and Morgan James, of Bowling Green, Melissa and Doug Langhofer, of Plains, Kansas, Brandon and Lauren Gregory, of St. Peters, Laura Gregory, of Fulton, James and Caitlyn Cornelius, of Warrenton, Brett Cornelius, of Middletown and Dylan Cornelius, of Middletown and thirteen great-grandchildren, Lexee, Kenzee and Trey James, of Silex, Carter, Keenan and Maddox James, of Montgomery City, Kaylen and Cole Langhofer, of Plains, Kansas, Kadence James, of Montgomery City, Kameren James, of Bowling Green, Addisyn and Madilynn Cornelius, of Warrenton and Kooper Cornelius, of Middletown.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert "Bob" Cornelius; parents, Robert and Roxie Dreon; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Kenneth Cornelius and Helen Fink and sisters, Mary Lucille Dreon and Sylvia Joan Houf.

Funeral services were at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, April 26, 2017 at the Myers Funeral Home in Middletown. A reflection of Joyce's life with special memories was given by her grandson, Robert James. Mr. John Slovensky officiated. Special music was provided by Stacy Hamlett and Kyle Ebers.

Burial was in Fairmount Cemetery in Middletown, Missouri. Serving as pallbearers were her grandsons, Robert James, Matthew James, Kyle James, Kristopher James, Brandon Gregory, James Cornelius, Brett Cornelius and Dylan Cornelius. Honorary pallbearers were her granddaughters, Melissa Langhofer and Laura Gregory.

Visitation was held from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 25, 2017 at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions were suggested to W-M R-1 School – Joyce Cornelius c/o Myers Funeral Home, 203 East Bates Street, Wellsville, MO 63384.

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