Elizabeth Jane Cornish
b. 9 February 1910, d. 19 October 2002
- Father: Edward Seymour Cornish b. 12 December 1861, d. 26 October 1936
- Mother: Martha Graves b. June 1870, d. 14 April 1958
- Elizabeth Jane Cornish was born on 9 February 1910 in Demopolis, Marengo County, Alabama.
- She was known as Libba.
- Edward Seymour Cornish and Martha Graves appeared in the US federal census of 15 April 1910 in Demopolis, Marengo County, Alabama, at Walnut Street and also Mattie's unmarried sister Gladys, not yet recorded.. Other members of the household included Elizabeth Jane Cornish, George Anthony Cornish.
- Edward Seymour Cornish and Martha Graves appeared in the US federal census of 1 January 1920 in Demopolis, Marengo County, Alabama, at Walnut Street enumerated next to the household of Thomas Graves, likely Mattie's brother.. Other members of the household included Elizabeth Jane Cornish, George Anthony Cornish.
- She married Ben Gilder George, son of Emmett Spencer George and Kayte G. (?), on 17 June 1929 in Demopolis, Marengo County, Alabama.
- Ben Gilder George and Elizabeth Jane Cornish appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1940. Also in the household was Libba's mother's sister Sadie Graves (55), identified as a sister.
- Elizabeth Jane Cornish became a widow at the 18 November 1993 death of her husband Ben Gilder George.
- Elizabeth Jane Cornish died on 19 October 2002 at age 92 in Demopolis, Marengo County, Alabama.
- The following appeared on 21 October 2002 in The Birmingham News: Elizabeth Jane Cornish George, a native and lifelong resident of Demopolis died In Demopolis on Saturday, October 19, 2002, at the age of 92. She Is survived by her five daughters: Martha Griffith (Eugene P.), Jane Watson, Kayte Melton (Thomas), all of Demopolis; Sally Cobb (Mitchell) of Mobile, and Dennis [sic] Ford (Wentworth) of Chicago; her brother-in-law, Richard George (Charlotte) of Birmingham; her sister-in-law, Catherine George Boykin (Milton) of Charleston. SC; 10 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ben Gilder George, and her brother, George A. Cornish of New York.
Born in Demopolis on February 9, 1910, to Edward S. and Mattie Graves Cornish, Mrs. George graduated from Demopolis High School and attended The Woman's College (now Huntington College) in Montgomery. She was married In 1929 and after a brief period in Birmingham, she and her husband returned to Demopolis where they assumed publication of the family newspaper, The Demopolis Times, which they published for more than 30 years. Her weekly column, The Rambling Reporter also appeared regionally in The Selma Times Journal for many years.
A lifelong member of First United Methodist Church, Mrs. George was a former president of The United Methodist Women, her church circle, and several other church organizations, and she taught Sunday School for more than 60 years. Together with other local churchwomen, she founded The Bargain Box, a household goods and clothing service center, where she volunteered for many years. The Alabama Department of Human Resources honored her for her many contributions to this effort.
Elizabeth was a charter member of the Southside Garden Club, which she served as president. She was also a charter member of the Silhouette Club and was a member and president of The Colonial Book Club and the Demopolis Parent/Teachers Association.
Her years of community involvement and public service brought her many honors, In 1971-1972, The Demopolis Jaycees presented Mrs. George and her husband their Community Service Award. In 1980, the Demopolis Chamber of Commerce honored her as Demopolis Outstanding Citizen, and In 1984, the American Association of University Women selected her the Outstanding Woman of Demopolis. The regional Key Club nominated Mrs. George as Alabama Mother of the Year, and she and her husband, Ben, ware honored by Demopolis First Methodist Church for their many years of service to the church and the community.
Services will be held on Monday, October 21, at 2:00 p.m. In Demopolis First United Methodist Church with interment to follow in Riverside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 200 East Decatur, Street, Demopolis, AL 36732. Kidd-Robins Funeral Directors (Directing).
- Last Edited: 17 Jul 2014