IVOR—Eleanor Carroll Epps Cornwell, 91, passed away on January 29, 2012.

She was born in Southampton County on November 2, 1920, to Joseph Carroll Epps and Ogie Felts Epps.

She graduated from Dendron High School in l939.

On June 15, 1947, she was married to Roy Caleb Cornwell, who predeceased her in 2000. Together, they worked to build two businesses in Ivor — Ivor Grocery Company in the early years of their marriage and Prescription Fertilizer and Chemical Company, which flourishes today. Much of their success was due to her wise management and attention to detail.

She loved her family, her church, her neighbors and her community — working as a steadfast volunteer at the Ivor Elementary School, belonging to the Ivor Women’s Club, and serving as a charter member of the Ivor Rescue Squad and of its auxiliary.

With her friend, Ellen Stephenson, she spearheaded the effort to bring a piano teacher to Ivor’s school and to bring choral music education and appreciation into the elementary curriculum of Southampton County schools.

She leaves to mourn her passing her daughters Cathy C. Floyd and her husband, Locke, of Concord, N.C., and Glenda C. Nemes and her husband, Dick, of Charleston, S.C.; her grandsons Michael Cornwell Floyd of Banglamong, Chonburi, Thailand, Tyler Reed Nemes of Delray Beach , Fla., Brian Booth Floyd of Concord, N.C. and Paul Epps Floyd and his wife, Susan, of Greer, S.C.; her siblings, Clarice Rollings of Surry County, Elizabeth Uzzle of Jacksonville, Fla., Nancy Bunn and her husband, Charles, of Newsoms, Roselyn Moxley of Carrollton, and Joseph C. Epps Jr. and his wife, Carolyn, of Wakefield, and their families, who always called her “Sister.”

She is also survived by 13 nieces and nephews including Rebecca C. Owens of Ivor and Otelia R. Seward, who were especially devoted to her.

In her later years, she was assisted in maintaining her active life by the staff and her friends at the Village at Woods Edge in Franklin and her caregivers, Stephanie Johnson and Wanda Story. In her last 11 days, she was given tender and loving care by the staffs of Southampton Memorial and Louise Obici Memorial hospitals.

Funeral services on Wednesday, Feb. 1, at 11 a.m. will be conducted by Rev. Cliff Fritzinger at the Ivor United Methodist Church in Ivor, where she was a lifelong member, Sunday School teacher, member of the church council and leader of the Bethany Bible Study Course.

The visitation will also be held at the church on Tuesday, January 31, from 7 to 9 p.m. Burial will be in the Ivor Cemetery.

A memorial will also be held later in the day at the Village at Woods Edge.

Eleanor has requested that memorials be sent to the Ivor United Methodist Church, the Ivor Volunteer Rescue Squad or the Ivor Fire Department.

Services are under the direction of the Wakefield Chapel of J. T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com.