Frances Todd Cornelius

On October 21, 2024, Mrs. Frances Todd Cornelius, passed away at the age of 88, in Gadsden, Alabama. Marshall Memorial Funeral Home will be handling the arrangements. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday October 26th, 2024, at 1:00pm at Marshall Memorial Funeral Home. A burial will follow in Marshall Memorial Gardens.

Frances was preceded in death by her husband Charles Cornelius, her Parents Chester and Eloise Todd, grandchild Jeremy Perkins, and her brother E.J. Todd.

Frances was born in Etowah County, Alabama, on February 26,1936, to Chester and Eloise Todd. From the very beginning of her life Frances was a caregiver. She was the oldest of six children and would often be caught referring to her siblings as her babies. After graduating from Walnut Grove High School, Frances completed her degree at Jacksonville State University and Snead State. She then went on to get her master’s degree in elementary education. She impacted the lives of students at Walnut Grove, Carlisle Elementary, and in Memphis, Tennessee where she was a special education teacher. Her unwavering belief in education and kindness were her hallmarks.

 Frances married her husband of 46 years, Charlie, on June 7th, 1970. She retired from teaching before the birth of her second son and began working with her husband at Charlie’s Cookies in Guntersville, Alabama. Frances was a devoted mother who took great pride and pleasure in raising her children. She was a caregiver through and through and often volunteered in the nursery at First Baptist Guntersville rocking and singing to the babies. Frances spent many of her early years picking cotton and harvesting crops with her family. This early immersion in farming provided her with a love for growing things. For most of her life, she planted and managed a large garden at her home on Guntersville Lake. After her retirement, Frances spent most of her time with family, specifically, her grandchildren. She filled her grandchildren’s lives with unconditional love and unwavering support. She rocked them as babies, played with them as children, and cooked for them until she could no longer pick up a spoon. Frances tended to show love through feeding people. She was known to be a great cook. She met everyone with a smile, kindness and humor as well as a welcoming hug. Up until her death she treated everyone who walked through her door as family. Frances was spiritual and spent her life participating in church and church activities. Her faith was her guiding light. And you could see that light shining through her smiles in every visit. She is loved. She will be missed. But as we all think of her, we will smile thinking of all She has added to our lives. We will be better because of our sweet, kind Frances having been so much a part of our lives. 

Frances is Survived by her daughter Susie Perkins, sons Lee Cornelius (Phyllis), Chris Cornelius (Lacey),  brothers Ruben Todd, Micha Todd (Jane), sisters Sharon Murdock (Terry), Phyllis Howell, Grandchildren Noel Turner (Lauren), Kimberly Cornelius, Ann Bradlee Cornelius, Great Grandchildren Garret Perkins, Natalie Perkins, Sutton Turner, Price Turner and Marlowe Turner. Special Friend, Marie Warren and a Host of Nieces and Nephews.

 A Special Thank You to the Staff at Regency Point, Gadsden Healthcare and Southern Care New Beacon Hospice. 

The family will accept visitors from 11:00 until the start of the service.