George Henry Cornelson Iv

George Henry Cornelson IV passed into God’s eternal care on July 8th, 2021 at his home Merrie Oaks in Clinton, SC surrounded by his loving family. Born on July 12, 1931, George was the only child of George Henry Cornelson, III and Elizabeth Woodward Cornelson who sadly passed away five days before his 2nd birthday. George was born and spent his primary years in Spartanburg under the doting care of his beloved grandmother Emma Bailey Cornelson who instilled in him the importance of God’s presence in his life, his strong work ethic, and his indelible sense of right and wrong.
He also benefitted greatly from the love of his aunt and uncle, Rose and Walter Montgomery and their children Walter Jr and Rose who always welcomed George and his grandmother warmly at Lake Summit or on their frequent travels together. George considered them part of his family rather than simply cousins.
After attending public schools in both Spartanburg and Clinton, George went to the McCallie School in Chattanooga, TN in 1946, but was always grateful to be included in Clinton Class of 49’ reunions. After graduating from McCallie in 1949, he followed his father, and grandfather to Davidson College where he was on the football and swimming teams and joined the Kappa Alpha Fraternity. During his high school and college years, he spent his summers working in textile mills in Clinton, Lydia, Spartanburg, and Raleigh, where he learned the value of integrity, determination, persistence, and hard work.
With his family’s involvement, and his growing love of the challenging textile industry, he transferred to North Carolina State University where he graduated in 1953 in Textile Management. While at NC State George became President of the Kappa Alpha fraternity. Upon graduation George attended the Harvard Graduate School of Business before he had to return to Clinton to care for his beloved grandmother Emma after his father died suddenly in 1954.
Fulfilling his ROTC commitment, George served as a lieutenant in the Air Force, and during his service, he married Ann Martin Shaw of Raleigh on October 6, 1956. She was the love of his life for 64 years.
George and Ann returned to Clinton in 1957 to begin his textile career at Clinton Mills. He started in the industrial engineering department and moved up the management ladder, becoming Vice President in 1958, President in 1979 and retired as C.E.O. in 1986 at which time Clinton Mills operated 11 plants in six states. George was a respected leader throughout the Textile industry serving as President and on the Boards of the SC Textile Manufacturers Association, the NC Textile Association, and the American Textile Manufacturers Institute. He shared many fond memories with the Clinton Mills, “Old Timers” club and had fun times for over fifty years in the Beattie Watts Stevens, and “Lint Heads” textile organizations. In the 60’s he developed the Merrie Oaks subdivision, a great neighborhood for many young families moving to Clinton, and in 1965 George was named NC State University’s Outstanding Young Alumnus.
In 1987, when the operating philosophy of Clinton Mills, Inc. changed, George resigned from the company, and focused on MS Bailey & Son Bankers, The Bailey Foundation, where he served as Chairman for over forty years, and helped improve the lives of many in Clinton, and around the State. He served on the boards of Presbyterian College, Thornwell Home, SC Chamber of Commerce, SC State Museum Foundation, Chair of the Laurens County Health Care System, Chair of the Clinton Planning Commission, Life Trustee of Independent Colleges of SC, Trustee of Davidson College, Columbia Theological Seminary, The NC Textile Foundation and many other business and civic organizations. He and Ann were supporters of Davidson, Hollins, Presbyterian College, NC State, the Bailey Foundation, The Lake Summit Foundation, Converse College, and he was a founding director of Musgrove Mill Golf Club.
In honor of his life of service of the school’s motto of “While we live we serve,” George was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Presbyterian College in 2003, named a PC Laureate, and became Trustee Emeritus in 2006. In 2009, in honor of his exemplary service to South Carolina, George was awarded the Order of the Palmetto, with the Governor stating, “Your life is, indeed, a shining example of a gentleman who considers it an honor and privilege to serve others.” George was a strong, quiet, dignified leader, who was always a consummate southern gentleman.
He was a faithful member of the First Presbyterian Church of Clinton, SC for over 78 years where he served as a Deacon, and Elder. He led the leadership effort for the Bailey Memorial Bell Tower and Carillon which was dedicated to his grandmother and her sisters on June 26, 1974. When he could no longer attend services in person, he always enjoyed watching Dr. Jeri Perkin’s sermons on Livestream.
George was above all a wonderful husband to his loving wife Ann, and a generous and exemplary father, and grandfather to his four children, ten grandchildren and one great grandson. With him we all knew we were deeply loved, but respect had to be earned. He is survived by his wife, Ann Shaw Cornelson, three sons: George Henry Cornelson V and wife Kim, Martin Shaw Cornelson and wife Karin, Scott Montgomery Cornelson, and daughter Elizabeth Cornelson Robinson “Woodie” and her husband Shep.
Being an only child and the last in his lineage, George took God literally when He said, “Be fruitful and multiply.” In addition to their four children, he and Ann have eight grandsons, two granddaughters, and one great grandson. Their grandsons are Martin Shaw Cornelson, Jr. and wife Amanda, Miller Gwynn Cornelson, George Henry Cornelson VI, Scott Montgomery Cornelson II and wife Katherine, Campbell Bolt Cornelson, John Shepard Robinson III, Henry Shaw Cornelson, and Rivers Scott Cornelson. Their granddaughters are Catherine Rose Cornelson Wittig and husband Davis, and Elizabeth Robinson Williams and husband Rob and his great grandson, Cabell Weisiger Cornelson. He happily spent many summers at Lake Summit with his family, always singing “God Bless America” on the 4th of July.
George’s family is deeply appreciative to Laurens County Hospice for the care we received from this wonderful organization. To his individual caregivers Adell Thompson, Allen Butler, Carolyn Roberts, Larena Finley, and Ana Hernandez for their compassionate care during this difficult time. George’s life was well lived in service to others. Now God has called home his faithful and loving servant to rest in eternal peace. Weren’t we blessed to have known such an honorable gentleman?
There will be a visitation with the family at Merrie Oaks on Saturday, July 10th from 5-7 PM. A celebration of life service will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Clinton, SC on Sunday, July 11,2021 conducted by the Dr. Jeri Perkins at 4:00 pm. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Laurens County, 1304 Springdale Drive, Clinton, SC 29325, the Thornwell Home, 302 South Broad Street Clinton, SC 29325, Presbyterian College, 503 South Broad Street, Clinton, SC 29325 or to the charity of your choice. Gray Funeral Home in Clinton is assisting the family.