February 24, 1930 – October 21, 2022
Eva Florence Russell, 92, of Mitchell, passed away on October 21, 2022, at UC Davis Hospital in Sacramento, CA.
She was born in Paoli, IN to Diora (Willyard) Newlin and Paul Newlin on February 24, 1930.
Eva was a graduate of Paoli High School in 1948. She married Floyd L. Cornwell on June 5, 1948. He precedes her in death. On June 27, 1983, she married Fay Russell who also precedes her in death.
Eva was a member of the First Baptist Church of Mitchell for more than 60 years where she left behind many friends when she moved to Sacramento to be closer to her family in 2017.
She was a competitive person who enjoyed playing games and doing puzzles. She enjoyed traveling and visiting family. As a hobby she enjoyed making quilted items as presents for her loved ones. She loved walks in the woods and the abundant wildlife that frequently visited in the yard of their farm.
Her working career started as a summer waitress at Spring Mill Inn at the age of 14. For many years she worked in Mitchell as a receptionist for Dr. Clair McKinney at Mitchell Optical Co. The highlight of her career was serving the City of Mitchell as Clerk-Treasurer for several terms. She retired from bookkeeper at REMC in Orleans in 1995.
Surviving are her son, James (Kathy) Cornwell of Sacramento, CA; daughter-in-law, Anita Cornwell of Avon, IN; grandchildren, Paul (Lori) Cornwell of Fishers, IN, Jamie Harris of Jeffersonville, IN, Denise (Bryan) Knight of Louisville, KY, Jeffrey (Laura) Cornwell of Louisville, KY, Matthew (Melissa) Cornwell of Indianapolis, IN, Mark Cornwell of Avon, IN, Debra (Steve) Crews of Plumas Lake, CA, Andrew Cornwell of Sacramento, CA, and Michael Cornwell of Sacramento, CA; 14 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; several nieces and nephews; and stepchildren, Gary Russell of Orleans, IN, Linda Atchison and Jim Russell of Mitchell, IN.
Her husbands; parents; sons, Greg Cornwell and John Cornwell; grandson, Adam Cornwell; sister, Leota Kirk; and brother, Noel Newlin preceded her in death.
Cremation has been chosen. A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, November 5 in the Memorial Chapel of Chastain Funeral Home & Cremation Center with Pastor Reggie Clark officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. Saturday until the time of the service at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions can be made in Eva’s memory to the Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.chastainfuneralhome.com.
