Fern Cornelison

Velma Fern Cornelison, age 91, died at Homestead Assisted Living Center, Owasso, OK, on Monday, April 22, 2019. The cause of her death was complications due to Parkinson’s disease.

Fern was born on July 29, 1927 in Broken Arrow, OK. Her childhood and early teen years were spent in and around the community of Broken Arrow. Her father was a farmer and her mother, a homemaker. She was raised during the height of the Depression. She knew what it was like to stretch food and clothing but she and her brothers and sisters were always laughing and making up games, simply enjoying being young. They didn’t know they were poor. Everyone was poor at that time. Sometimes all she had at school for lunch was a biscuit left over from breakfast. A good lunch included a piece of sausage.

Fern was the first born to Frank and Daisy Smith, with eleven brothers and sisters to follow. When she was seventeen she asked if she could go to live with her father’s sister in Cherryvale, Kansas. Everyone agreed and off she went! She got a job in Cherryvale at a sewing factory. She sewed pockets on uniforms for service men. It was a good job and she enjoyed her work there. While in Cherryvale, she met Fred Peugh. They were on a double date (each with a different person!). Fred had been a Marine who fought in World War II in the Pacific. They made a handsome couple and were wed on April 13, 1946. Their marriage lasted for 33 years. Fred passed away from pancreatic cancer in May, 1979.

Fern worked in the public school system in Bartlesville as a baker for 18 years. She was an active and a devoted member while attending Eastside Nazarene church, making sure her three children attended service each Sunday and Wednesday, for church camps, vacation Bible school, and every revival meeting.

Fred and Fern were living in Tulsa at the time of his death and attended Regency Park Church of the Nazarene where Fern remained a faithful member all her life. After Fred’s passing, Fern met another good man, Harry Cornelison. Their marriage lasted 25 years until his passing in June of 2008.

Fern is survived by her daughter, Regina Portman of Owasso, OK, her sons, Stan Peugh of Owasso, OK, Kevin Peugh of Bartlesville, OK. Her grandchildren, Jennifer Troxell, Sam Troxell, both of Fayetteville, NC, David Portman of Broken Arrow, OK, Geoff Portman of Owasso, OK and wife Danielle, Michael Peugh of Owasso, OK and wife Robin, Jason Peugh of Owasso, OK and wife Jovelyn, Devin Peugh of Owasso, OK, Kayla Henry of Bartlesville, OK and husband Kenny. Her great-grandchildren, Julia Tolbert, Jimmy Tolbert, Joseph Tolbert, Paige Troxell, Mary Troxell, Olivia Portman, Mya Portman, Jack Henry Peugh, Mena Peugh, Audra Peugh, Julianna Peugh, Khole Henry, Kamille Henry, Kenneth Henry, IV, Kordelia (Little Fern) Henry, and Kahler peugh. Her siblings, Gerald Smith, Ennis Smith, Lucille Miles, Doris Miller, Mary Ann Mayfield, Earlene Stout, Jim Smith, Willard Smith, Pat Newton, and Glenna Lynch.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Daisy Smith, and one brother, Kenneth Smith.

A celebration of Fern’s life will be held at 11:00, Thursday 25, 2019, at Regency Park Church of the Nazarene (8707 E. 51st Street, Tulsa, OK. Burial will be held in Bartlesville, Ok at the Memorial Park Cemetery alongside her husband, Fred L. Peugh.