Ronnie Cornwell of Newport, Arkansas departed this life on Tuesday, February 8, 2022, at the age of 58. He was born May 28, 1963, the son of Grover Lewis “G.L.” and Lawanda (Mullins) Cornwell.
He was a 1981 graduate of Newport High School and completed ASE and GM Master Technician Training. He was formerly the shop foreman for Lakeside Chevrolet and George Kell Motors. Most recently, he was Maintenance Lead for Shearer Foods.
He had a passion for cars. He was especially fond of pre-1940 vehicles. He enjoyed restoring cars and helping other people with their vehicles. He was a member of the NSRA – National Street Road Association. Throughout the years, he had held membership in many car clubs.
He had a wonderful sense of humor and loved serving others.
He was a member of Central Baptist Church in Newport.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by one son, Tyler Cornwell and wife, Ally of Greenville, South Carolina; one daughter, Chelsie Hutchinson and husband, Ryan of Tuckerman; his partner, Penny Ellison of Bryant, Arkansas; one brother, Earl Cornwell and wife, Mona of Newport; one grandchild, Luke Hutchinson; the mother of his children, Genia Cornwell of Tuckerman; and a lifetime of friends.
Friends may visit at the funeral home, Thursday, 6:00-8:00 p.m. Funeral services are 11:00 a.m. Friday at Jackson’s Newport Funeral Home Chapel, with interment following in Memory Garden Cemetery at Johnstown.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Larry Gates, Hunter Gates, Chase Gates, Rick Chism, Mike Barnes, and Steve Maynard.
Kent Tuttle and Michael Shipman will serve as honorary pallbearers.
