Sophy H. Cornwell

Sophy H. Cornwell, 96, of Laurel, MD, formerly of Lincoln University, PA, passed away on Tuesday, August 1, 2017 at Morningside House of Laurel, Laurel, MD. She was the wife of the late Dr. Henry G. Cornwell with whom she shared 60 years of marriage. Born in Bronx, NY, she was the daughter of the late John and Candelaria Guerrero Hernandez. Sophy was employed at Lincoln University for over 30 years in Vail Memorial Library and Langston Hughes Memorial Library and, for a time, taught Spanish. A graduate of Douglass College, Sophy returned to school late in her career and earned a Masters Degree in Library Science from Columbia University. She retired from her position as Special Collections Librarian in 1985, but continued to stay active with various special projects. She volunteered for the Oxford Blood Mobile for over 20 years and served as a board member of the Oxford Library. She is survived by one daughter, Lynne Cornwell of Laurel, MD; two sons, Carl Henry Cornwell (Elizabeth Lowengard) of Silver Spring, MD and Roger Alan Cornwell of San Francisco, CA; three grandchildren, James Cornwell-Shiel (Mary Kate McProuty), Christopher Cornwell-Shiel and Arthur Cornwell-Shiel; three great-grandchildren; one nephew, Michael Tinker (Agnes Zitelli); two grandnieces; and close family member Amalya Kearse. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Gwendolyn Cornwell, half-brother, Ralph Arnao Tinker and daughter-in-law, Mary Shiel. A memorial service will be held in the fall. Interment will be in Oxford Cemetery at a private ceremony on August 13. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Lincoln University, for the Sophy H. Cornwell Memorial Fund, c/o Division of Institutional Advancement, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, 1570 Baltimore Pike, Lincoln University, PA 19352. Arrangements are being handled by the Edward L. Collins, Jr., Funeral Home, Inc., Oxford, PA. On-line condolences may be made at www.elcollinsfuneralhome.com.