Elizabeth (Liz) Hampton Cornelius

Elizabeth (Liz) Hampton Cornelius, 80, died peacefully in her sleep in the early morning of January 27, 2018 at Morning Pointe Assisted Living in Calhoun, Georgia after an extended illness.  Mrs. Cornelius was a native of Gainesville, Georgia who was raised in Oglethorpe County by her Grandparents and the Fleming family. 

She was a longtime resident of Dahlonega, where she raised her three sons and served for 25 years as a Lumpkin County Extension Agent and 4-H club coordinator.  After retirement, she served for 18 years as a substitute teacher in the Lumpkin County School system.  She watched over and taught several generations of students and 4-H’ers in her years in Lumpkin County.  Mrs. Cornelius was born to James Hiram Hampton of Colbert, Ga., and Martha Lee Fleeman Hampton of Oglethorpe County, in Gainesville, Ga in October of 1937.  She was raised by cousins and family after the early death of her parents. Mrs. Cornelius graduated from Winterville High School.  She was a graduate of Young Harris College and University of Georgia.   Mrs. Cornelius obtained her Masters of Education degree from North Georgia College before retirement.  She was a resident of Atlanta, Kansas City, and Dallas, as she raised her family and has numerous friends and acquaintances from these areas.  Mrs. Cornelius was named Miss YHC and served as a Dorcas member while at her beloved Young Harris College. She was a member of the UGA chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority and the First United Methodist Church of Dahlonega. 

Mrs. Cornelius loved her years in the mountains of Dahlonega and exclaimed with joy over the beauty of the scenery every time she crested over Crown Mountain.  She received numerous awards and honors during her time in Dahlonega, including service as Gold Rush Queen.  She is preceded in death by her Grandparents; parents; brother; James H. Hampton, plus Fleming and Hampton family; as well as many extended family and friends. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Polly Hampton; her three sons, Stanley, Cawood and David; her grandchildren, Miranda Bentley, Camellia Cornelius, Jacob Cornelius and Micah Cornelius; a newly born great-grandchild, Josephine; and their loved ones, Martha Baldwin and family, Gustavo Silva, Bonnie Cornelius, and Andrew Bentley;  as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and friends.  Remembrances may be made to The Liz Hampton Cornelius Endowed Scholarship Fund, Young Harris College, PO Box 275, Young Harris Ga 30582. 

A memorial service will be held at the Banister Funeral Home Chapel on Highway 19N  in Dahlonega, Georgia at 3:00 pm on Sunday, February 4, 2018.  The family will receive friends after the service until 6:00 pm.  A memorial service will be held at Colbert United Methodist Church the following Sunday on February 11, 2018 at 3:00 pm. Interment will follow at the Colbert Cemetery in Colbert, GA.

Online condolences may be made to the family at banisterfuneralhome.net.

Banister Funeral Home of Dahlonega