Helen Oliver Cordell

Mrs. Helen Oliver Cordell, 79, passed away Wednesday evening, October 7, 2009, at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center. Graveside services will be conducted at 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 10, in Shiloh Cemetery, with Rev. Stephen Hill and Rev. Hugh Harbort officiating. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. These include Lee Cordell of Springfield, GA, Joseph Cordell of Jacksonville, FL, Brandon Spence of Fort Valley, GA, Jacob Howell of Meridian, MS, David Cordell of Maryland, and Matt Mashburn of Jessup, GA. A visitation will be held on Friday, October 9, at Hancock Funeral Home, between the hours of 7:00 and 9:00 PM. Born February 15, 1930, in Schley County, Mrs. Cordell was a daughter of the late William Henry Oliver and Lucy Selma Devane Oliver. She was a member of Murray Hill Baptist Church in Jacksonville, FL, and was a cashier at Lee Drugs and Big “B” Drugs. Mrs. Cordell dearly loved her family and enjoyed flower gardening. Survivors include her daughter, Jenny Cordell Smirthwaite and her husband Martin of Americus; sons, Steven E. Cordell and his wife Sheila of Jacksonville, FL, William H. “Billy” Cordell and his wife Robbie, and Dennis Lee Cordell and his wife Cheryl, all of Americus; a sister, Jewel Oliver Woodard of Americus; a sister-in-law, Lois C. Rumph and her husband Ralph of Americus; a brother-in-law, Milton Criswell of McIntyre; and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Mrs. Cordell was preceded in death by her husband, Horace Eugene Cordell, and sisters, Mary Oliver Glaze, Henrietta O. Musselwhite, Grace O. Criswell, and Annette O. H oward. Family members suggest that memorial contributions be made to Hospice of Americus and Sumer County, 126 E. Furlow St., Americus, GA 31709; or to the Middle Flint Council on Aging, 140 GA Hwy. 27, E, Americus, GA 31709. Hancock Funeral Home, 427 South Lee St., Americus, GA is in charge of arrangements.