James Cornwell Obituary

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LILESVILLE – On Saturday, July 5, 2025, Mr. James Edwin Cornwell, 83, life-long resident of the Gum Springs Community of Lilesville passed away peacefully at Hospice Haven in Rockingham with his wife and daughters at his bedside.

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM, Thursday, July 10, 2025 in the Chapel of Leavitt Funeral Home with Rev. Sigrid Mottram officiating. Interment with Masonic Rites will follow in Anson Memorial Park.

The family will greet friends from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM, Wednesday, July 9, 2025 at the funeral home and other times at the home.

Edwin was born April 30, 1942 in Anson County, NC and was a son of the late Frell High Cornwell and the late Berry Liles Swink Cornwell. He was a graduate of Anson High School and had worked with BV Hedrick.

Following employment with BV Hedrick, Edwin went to work with the Seaboard Coastline Railroad in Hamlet where he retired after 36 years of service with the railroad. At the time of his retirement, he was Conductor with CSX Railroad.

He was a faithful member of Forestville United Methodist Church in Lilesville where he worked along with his church family with the annual Ingathering, for which he was known for homemade pies and cakes.

Edwin often shared sweet potato, lemon, and pecan pies and pound cakes with his family and friends.

He was a member of Kilwinning Masonic Lodge 164 in Wadesboro and was a 32nd Degree Mason and member of the Oasis Shrine.

Those who are left to cherish his memory are his wife fo 62 years, Rita Dawkins Cornwell; his girls who he referred to as his wonderful daughters, Berry Thomas (Greg) and Kelly Howell (Scott) both of Lilesville; his grandchildren, Heith Ricketts (Carly) of Wadesboro, Riley Eudy (Kyle) of Peachland, Kerry Helms (Wesley) of Chesterfield, SC, Jacob Thomas, Garrett Thomas, Jamie Thomas and Josh Thomas all of Lilesville; his great-grandchildren, Vann Eudy, Grey Eudy, Hank Ricketts, Harper Helms, Kensley Helms and Charley Helms; his sister, Linda Smith of Wadesboro and his sister-in-law, Geneva Lowry of Wadesboro.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers and sisters, James Thomas Cornwell, Mark Cornwell, Leon Cornwell, Francis Cornwell, Juanita Morgan and Ruby Marsh.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Forestville Unted Methodist Church, c/o Joanne Clark, 1781 Clark Mtn. Rd., Lilesville, NC 28091

The arrangements are in care of Leavitt Funeral Home and online condolences may be made at www.leavittfh.com