DORIS L. CORNELL
October 18, 1929 to September 3, 2024
The Village, Oklahoma

Doris' Obituary

Doris was born in Austin, Texas to parents Lea Alison and Dora Greathouse Dill. She graduated from Austin High School in June, 1946, and from The University of Texas, Austin, in January,1950. She married fellow geologist Leroy Gatlin and began a trek to Lewistown, Montana;

Mexico City, Coatzacoalcos and Monterrey, Mexico; and finally, Oklahoma City. The couple had three daughters: Allyson Gatlin Sullivan, Oklahoma City; Zetta Amanda Fayos, Syracuse, NY; Mary Arden Gatlin, deceased, Oklahoma City. Instead of continuing in geology, Doris began a career in writing and public relations, having completed postgraduate courses in writing and communications at The University of Oklahoma and at Central Oklahoma University. She was a columnist and oil reporter for The Daily Oklahoman, Public Information Officer for The Oklahoma Department of Libraries, and a member of Kerr McGee’s Corporate Communications Department, where she edited their employee magazine. She was a member of The Editor’s Club of OKC, and a member of Theta Sigma Phi, journalism society. As a freelance writer, her articles and stories appeared in many newspapers and magazines. Doris married George N. Cornell in 1971, and gained three stepsons, John N. Cornell, Tom G. Cornell, Mitch F. Cornell and their families. The couple moved to Corpus Christi, for a brief time, but soon returned to Oklahoma City where George passed away in January of 2007. In addition to her daughters, she cherished her grandchildren and their spouses: Ryan Flynn and wife Dionne, Dallas; Vanessa Palmer and husband Drew, Edmond; Leah Ojeda and husband, Danny, Oklahoma City; Lydia Sullivan Benham and her husband David, Tulsa; Gatlin Sullivan, Colton Sullivan, Oklahoma City; Dr. Zetta Hester and husband Jesse, McLean, VA; Dr. Zane Fayos and wife Brittany, Cedar Point, NC; and Austin Andrews, Oklahoma City. Great grandchildren include Ben and Corley Palmer, Sienna and Canon Flynn, Nova and Hawke Benham, Costa and Alma Ojeda, Olivia and Eliana Fayos, and Blair Hester. Doris was a devoted member of her church, St. Stephens Presbyterian Church, and after she retired, Doris served as a Vista Volunteer for REST, a day center for the homeless in downtown Oklahoma City. She was a former member of the President’s Advisory Council at Berea College in Berea, KY, and served as an Assistant to the President at Alice Lloyd College, Pippa Passes, KY. Doris was an avid bridge player, and treasured her many wonderful friends, who were a rich blessing to her life. A service will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2024 at 2:00PM at St. Stephen’s Presbyterian Church, 2424 NW 50th St., OKC, OK 73112. There will be a reception following the service in the Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorials in Doris’ honor to St. Stephen’s Presbyterian Church, OKC, or Alice Lloyd College, Pippa Passes, KY 41844.