Ms. Cynthia Kaye Cornelius

Cynthia was an attentive and bright child, and grew up in a family that valued faith, education, and service. She attended elementary through high school in Midland, graduating from Robert E. Lee High School in 1972, and commenced upon a life of service. Following graduation, she attended Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, New Mexico and graduated in 1976 with a Bachelor Arts Degree in French and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work. Cynthia furthered her education at Arizona State University, graduating in 1978 with a Masters of Social Work. After decades of leading a stellar career in social work, Cynthia retired from UT Southwestern in April, 2021.

Cynthia deeply loved serving others, and that love mirrored her profound faith. Cynthia came to know Christ as a child and began her faith journey at Macedonia Baptist Church in Midland, Texas under the leadership of the late Reverend Horace F. Doyle. As she furthered her studies and began her career, she diligently sought and connected with a church home to advance the kingdom. Upon her arrival to Dallas, Texas, she joined the historic St. Paul United Methodist Church of Dallas under the leadership of the late Reverend John W. Tatum. She deeply loved St. Paul and served diligently in the church, serving in several capacities of lay leadership and being a co-founder of the Body and Soul Ministry that has served Dallas’ homeless population for nearly thirty years.

Cynthia’s faith taught her that “the world was her parish.” Her service touched the lives of many people as a leader in her community. Cynthia was a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, pledging in 1979 through the Midland Alumnae Chapter. She remained active in the sorority, serving in various leadership positions with the Dallas Alumnae Chapter. She was also a member of several boards throughout including, the Dallas Area Rapid Transit Board, St. Philips School and Community Center Board, and Operation Breadbasket of The North Texas Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Damita Sue Cornelius.

Cynthia deeply loved her family and friends and will be truly missed. She was an inspiration to all and leaves a rich legacy to be continued by all she’s met along the way. To cherish her memory, she leaves her sister, Mary Angela Phelps (Cleveland) of Duncanville, Texas; niece, Chelsea A. Phelps of Duncanville, Texas; nephews, Bryant X. Phelps (Courtney) of Grand Prairie, Texas, Zhuric C. Phelps of Dallas, Texas and Evan C. Phelps of Duncanville, Texas; a great niece, Hailey Damita Phelps of Grand Prairie, Texas; aunts, Alma O. Davis and Dollie R. Brewer of Dallas, Texas, Yvonne Hailey and Nora Hailey of Houston, Texas; an uncle, Eunice C. Hailey of Fort Worth, Texas; many cousins and very special friends.

Funeral services for Cynthia will be held on Saturday, October 2, 2021, at 10am at St. Paul United Methodist Church, 1816 Routh Street, Dallas, Texas, 75201; CDC protocols will be observed and the service will be livestreamed. In lieu of flowers/plants, donations can be made to St. Paul United Methodist Church (memo: Body and Soul Ministry).

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.laurellanddallas.com for the Cornelius family.