June T. Cole-Cornell

June Ollie Tidwell Cole Cornell was a kind-hearted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend. She left this world peacefully on March 6, 2022 at age 93. 

Born in Columbia, SC on February 26, 1929 to the late Dalton Caldwell and Ollie Easler Tidwell, June was the eldest of six children. Though raised in the difficulties of the Great Depression, she always had a passion for fashion and beauty, entertainment and culture. As a military wife, June traveled the country and globe, living in Hawaii, Alaska, Texas, California, Hong Kong, and Germany to name a few. She enjoyed immersing herself into the culture of other countries and experiencing new things. She worked as a secretary in many different capacities throughout her life, including many years as a medical transcriptionist and was a member of Saint Andrews Baptist Church in Irmo, SC. Her greatest joy was loving people. She never met a soul she didn’t care for, and was always generous, supportive, and kind to anyone she encountered. Her dazzling smile lit up every room she entered, and will never dull in the memory of our hearts.

June was predeceased in death by her husbands, Ronald R. Cole and Robert K. Cornell; her brother Dalton Tidwell Junior, and sisters, Barbara T. Condon, Goldie T. Plate’, and Margie T. Prather.

She is survived by her one and only “baby sugar,” Cristal E. Smith (Mark), grandchildren, Olivia Harms (Daniel), Melissa Collins (Matt), David Sidwell (Courtney), and Brian Smith; six great-grandchildren, sister, Cathy Hearn (Will) and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins whom she adored.

Services will be held Friday, March 11, 2022 at 2 p.m. at the Elmwood Cemetery Chapel Mausoleum at 501 Elmwood Ave in Columbia.Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. before the service, and burial will immediately follow.

The family would like to extend their most sincere gratitude to the loving staff of Brookdale of Columbia for their many years of loving care and exceptional service to June.

Memorials can be made to Samaritan’s Purse.

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