Charley Cornelius

Charley Cornelius was born on the 26th of February, 1926 in Baton Rouge, LA. He was the second sibling and 1st born of 8 children to the late George and Georgia Cornelius, also formerly of Baton Rouge. He accepted Christ at the early age of 13 and was baptized by the late Reverend William Richardson of Greater St. James Baptist church, also in Baton Rouge, LA. He attended McKinley High School before leaving to join the Navy at 17 years of age. He returned to Baton Rouge 3 years later to complete his high school education receiving his GED. While there he married and was later widowed becoming the father of his first born, the late Tony Cornelius. After 6 years in Baton Rouge, he went back into the Service, joining the Air Force, where he served until retirement. After retiring from the military, he made his home in San Antonio, Texas where he was widely known for his culinary skills and being a #1 Spurs fan. He resided in San Antonio until called home by the Lord. While in San Antonio, he worked for the State Department, befor retiring after 18 years as the district manager for Texas Surplus Property Agency. Charley made his church home at Wheatley Heights Baptist Church where he remained an inactive member. He married twice and from his second marriage came his 2nd born, Cheryl L. Hawkins, formerly of San Antonio, Texas. A devoted father and grandfather, he spent the majority of his retired life devoted to his grand children whom he deeply cherished. He leaves behind to cherish his memories a daughter, Cheryl Hawkins(Roric), 2 sisters, Catherine Jingles(Robert) and Etherlene Scott; 3 brothers, Lawrence(Barbara), Lionel(Betty) and junior Cornelius (Thelma); grandchildren, Ronnie, Jaelin, Aretha, Monteria Cornelius And Roric Hawkins, Jr.;great granchildren, Aubrey Baker, Mikayla and Monteria Cornelius, Jr.