Cornelia Stephenson

WILSON - Cornelia Lina Watson Stephenson, 81, died Tuesday, February 4, 2014.

Funeral, Saturday, 4:00 PM, First Baptist Church. Inurnment, Church Columbarium.

Cornelia was known by family and friends for her gentle and caring nature which carried through to her choice of the nursing profession. She was born to Joseph Rodgers and Sophia Marie Hall Watson on September 8, 1932, and reared on the family farm just outside of Pine Level. For all her public education, she attended Pine Level School. Daily she walked to school and often ran home for a hot meal at lunch. After high school, she received an Associate Degree from Mars Hill College in the mountains and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1954 from the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond.

In the summer of 1953, she married Bill Stephenson after receiving the required permission from the school dean. She went on to teach for several years at Rex Hospital School of Nursing, Raleigh, and upon the birth of her first child became a stay-at-home mother. More than 20 years later, she completed additional training and became a floor nurse for Wilson Memorial Hospital. She then cared for her ailing mother in the home.

In retirement, Cornelia and Bill enjoyed 15 years of travel by motor home, meeting people and seeing the wonders of our great country. During her lifetime, she visited all 50 states and several European countries.
Surviving are her husband of 60 years, William "Bill" Herbert Stephenson; daughter, Kenna Watts (Dr John III) of Gastonia; son, Wes Stephenson (Whitney) of Winston-Salem; four grandchildren, John Watts IV, Coralie Watts, Jenna Stephenson and Tate Stephenson. She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Robert Evander Watson of Pine Level and Joseph Rodgers Watson, Jr. of Napa, CA.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggest to First Baptist Church, PO Box 1467, Wilson NC 27894-1467.