Chester Warren Cornell

Chester “Skip” Warren Cornell, Sr., 89, passed away July 24, 2023, in Little Rock, AR. He was born on August 14, 1933 to the late Milton and Annie Venters Cornell in Lake Village, AR where he was raised.

Graduating in the class of 1951 from Lakeside High School, he was fondly known as Skippy to his classmates. He served in the U.S. Navy and was a veteran of the Korean War before earning a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. After moving to Pine Bluff, AR he married his wife of over fifty years, Mildred “Millie” McCarver Cornell (deceased). He retired as an administrator and counselor for the Dept. of Corrections, with much of his career devoted to Youth Services.

He loved his morning coffee and newspaper, and enjoyed road trips beginning with boyhood visits to Gulf Shores, AL that continued almost annually throughout his life. He and Millie had a passion for music that they shared with their children, especially Broadway showtunes.

He is survived by his four children, Karen (Rob) Anderson of Bend, OR, Kathy (John) Kozak of Conway, SC, Christie (Marty) Hamaker of Little Rock, and Chet (Natasha) Cornell of North Little Rock; his sister, Barbara Cornell Sterrett of Columbus, OH; along with dozens of beloved nieces and nephews. He was a proud Grandpa to eight grandchildren, Austen Gnad, Alexa Anderson, Samuel Gnad, Carver Gnad, Eric Hamaker, Ally Hamaker, Sydney Cornell and Liam Cornell. Along with his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Malcolm Cornell and sisters, Anita Jensen and Mary Lites.

A family celebration of life will be held in Gulf Shores, AL. Memorials can be made to Arkansas PBS Foundation at myarkansaspbsfoundation.org or mailed to 350 South Donaghey, Conway, AR 72034.