Bettie Lou Cornelius passed away June 16, 2014 at home surrounded by her children. She was born July 18, 1929 to the late Amos A. Lee and Sarah Elizabeth Huddleston of Bay City. She lived her entire life in Matagorda County with the exception of residing in Australia for 3 years with her family. She was a full time wife, Mother, MeMa and Great-MeMa. She was a member of the Holy Cross Catholic Church, the Bay City Junior Service League and Eta Mu Sorority. She was also a costume designer and seamstress and could create the best floral arrangements from next to nothing.

Her husband of 66 years, Leonard H. Cornelius, preceded her in death as well as numerous brothers and sisters. She is survived by her sister Melody Johnson; children Donna Harrison & husband George, Debbie Reed & husband Bob, Bonnie Elbel & husband David, Melody Sanders & husband Ken, Amy McLeod & husband Mack, Herff Cornelius & wife Nancy, Brenda Rider & husband Bill, Connie Coney & husband Jeff and Mary Nuala Brown; grandchildren Jennifer Ligums & husband Jeb, Tres Hovel & wife Tania, Robby Reed & wife Stephanie, Rick Reed & wife Casey, Randi Walker & husband Marshall, Brian Elbel & wife Sarah, Kathrin Campise & husband David, Michael Reitz & wife Amber, Brandon Reitz & wife Barbara, Michelle Weathers & husband Stephen, Jake McLeod & wife Pam, Len Cornelius & wife Savannah, Sara Briggs and husband Michael, Brant Rider, Blake Rider, Braden Rider, Kimberlee Rodriguez & husband Adam, Rebecca Coney and Avery Coney; great grandchildren Jet and George Ligums , Robert Reed III, Ruger Reed, Weston, Finley, Hattie and Chloe Walker , Ellis Elbel, Tristan and C'Anne Campise, Brooke and Brylie Reitz, Grady and Lucy Weathers , Lila McLeod, and Wyatt Cornelius; numerous nieces and nephews and many great friends.

The Cornelius family would like to express special thanks to Caregivers Susan Ryman, Nelly, Simona and Bene, and Andrea and Kim of Angels Care Home Health.

Visitation will begin at 5:30 PM Wednesday June 18, 2014 followed by a rosary at 6:30 PM at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home. Funeral mass will be 2:00 PM Thursday, June 19, 2014 at Holy Cross Catholic Church with Rev. Greg Korenek and Msgr. Gerry Cernoch officiating. Interment will follow at Hawley Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Tres Hovel, Robby Reed, Rick Reed, Brian Elbel, Michael Reitz, Brandon Reitz, Jake McLeod, Len Cornelius, Brant Rider, Blake Rider, Braden Rider and Avery Coney.

Please consider memorials in her name to Holy Cross School Foundation; 2001 Katy; Bay City, TX 77414, Alzheimer's Association or American Cancer Society.