A devoted mother and wife, she also worked as a substitute teacher after her children were grown. She was a former member of the Church of Christ and a current member of First Christian Church and attended as long as her health permitted.
Francis was born July 23, 1918, the daughter of James and Frances Alice Follis, in Macon County, Tennessee, near Westmoreland. She was named for a cherished male relative, not her mother. Growing up in middle Tennessee, she lived most of her early years in Tullahoma. Educated in private schools until the depression, Francis was graduated from Tullahoma High School, where she was voted “Most Beautiful.” Then she attended Middle Tennessee State. During her youth, she and her brother had helped conduct searches for Amelia Earhart in their short-wave radio lab. An avid tennis player during her collegiate years, Francis won the Tennessee women’s singles state championship for two years. It was on the tennis court where she met her first husband, Kermit Cornwell.
Versatile, with many hobbies and interests, she particularly enjoyed playing the piano, writing poetry, photography, sewing, working with children, rescuing animals, and spending time at the family mountain cabin on Viking Mountain. A Girl Scout leader for over fifteen years, Francis received an award from the Girl Scouts of America for her dedication. She loved reading and history and was a member of the Historical Society and the Garden Club for many years. Blessed with a lively intellect and a self-described “little Irish devil on my shoulder,” she loved challenging the status quo and convention. Her children were raised with the mantra “If it won’t hurt you, or someone else, then go ahead.” She was a passionate advocate for the underdog.
Survivors include her present husband of 12 years, James Dauerty; daughters and sons-in-law: Gwynne and W.T. Glisson, Dawn and David Patelke; sons and daughters-in-law: Jonathan and Martha Cornwell, Joel and Pam Cornwell; eight grandchildren: Troy Glisson, Tara Glisson, Chase Carney, Lara Crockett, Jonathan Cornwell, Jr., Chandler Cornwell, Kristin Long, and Daniel Cornwell; and six great-grandchildren: Logan, Tyler, Elijah, Ethan, Luke and Brooklyn. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Kermit Cornwell; a daughter, Karan Carney; her brother, Dr. Robert Follis; and her parents.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made in Francis’ memory to Holston United Methodist Home for Children, Greeneville-Greene County Humane Society, Greene County Library, or the charity of your choice. Francis’ family would especially like to thank all of the doctors, nursing staff, and professionals at Laughlin Health-Care Center and Amedisys Home Healthcare and Hospice for the loving care you extended not only to her, but to her family.
The family will receive friends from 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm Friday, May 8, at Kiser-Rose Hill Funeral Home.
The funeral service will follow at 1:30 pm with Rev. Jeff McNabb officiating.
Interment will be at GreeneLawn Memory Gardens.
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