Rosie Major Cornish

CAMBRIDGE - Rosie Major Cornish, known as Miss Rosie, passed away on Monday, Aug. 27, 2007, while residing at Chesapeake Woods Nursing Center in Cambridge.

Mrs. Cornish was the last surviving child of John Major and Nettie White Major. Mrs. Cornish was born April 17, 1908, in Accomack, Va. As a child, Mrs. Cornish and her family moved to Cambridge.

Mrs. Cornish received her formal education in Cambridge. She was married to Anthony Cornish, who preceded her in death. From their union, nine children were born. Although Mrs. Cornish was a full-time mother, she worked as a seasonal worker in Dorchester County.

At an early age, Mrs. Cornish became a Christian and was a founding member of Greater Mount Olive Baptist Church in Cambridge. She later joined New Jerusalem Church of God and St. John"s Holiness Church. Mrs. Cornish sang with the Shining Lights and was a lifetime member of Progressive Temple 224 Elks Lodge in Cambridge.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by five children, James Cornish, Andrew Cornish, Ernestine Cornish Thompson, Melvin Cornish and Larry Cornish and seven siblings, George Major, Willie Major, John Davis Major, Eddie Major, Handy Major, Nathaniel Stevenson and Beulah Dotson.

Mrs. Cornish is survived by four children, Mother Margaret Cephas, Bishop Clarence Cornish, Valarie Copper, Audrey George and their spouses; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousin;s and special friends, Hester Chase and Sadie Robinson.

Services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, at Bethel AME Church, 623 Pine St., Cambridge, with a viewing Friday from 6-8 p.m. at the church. Burial will follow in Bethel Cemetery.

Arrangements are being handled by the Henry Funeral Home, PA.