JULY 2 – Goldie LaForce Cornell, 95, of Farmville, died peacefully on Sunday, June 28, 2009 at The Woodland, Farmville.

Born in Dante, March 30, 1914, she was a daughter of the late James Perry LaForce and Clementine O'Quin LaForce, who spent the last years of their lives in Prospect.

She was the sixth of 11 children and is survived by a sister, Bernice LaForce Maillet and husband, Charles of Portsmouth, Ohio; nieces, Pam Brumfield of Farmville, Janet Taylor Fuller of South Boston and Hidden Lake Farm, Prospect, Joan Cox Barry, Marie LaForce Talley, Jacquie Maillet O'Rourke, Charlene Maillet Counts, Julie Maillet Ihardt, Carolyn Moore Weaver, Kim LaForce, Sheri LaForce Byran and Debbie LaForce Pratz; and nephews, Larry Moore, Chip Maillet, and Lt. Col. (Ret) Paul LaForce.

Mrs. Cornell was preceded in death by her husband, Alfred Benjamin Cornell, a proud Army veteran of WWII, and later an executive with VEPCO, Richmond, until retiring to Farmville, and their daughter, Susan Cornell who succumbed to cancer at age 11. Among her nine deceased siblings were local residents, Grace LaForce Cox and Roxie LaForce Taylor.

Mrs. Cornell was a registered nurse who had a distinguished career in both private and public practice, serving many years as a public health nurse in Petersburg and Richmond and as chief operating room nurse at Southside Community Hospital. She was particularly noted for her compassion and selfless dedication to serve those in need long after normal working hours.

A graveside service was held on Tuesday at Prospect Methodist Church Cemetery where Mrs. Cornell was laid to rest alongside her beloved husband, Al and only child, Susan in the LaForce family plot, where rest also the remains of her parents and other family members.

Memorials may be sent to the Prospect Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Donald Cook, 884 Firsat Rock Road, Prospect, VA 23960.

Doyne-Burger-Davis Funeral Home, Farmville, served the family.
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