Cornelia H. Smith was born on July 21, 1928 in East St. Louis, Illinois to the union of Mack Hopkins and Ollie Hopkins.  She confessed a hope in Christ at an early age and united with St. John Lutheran Church.  Her educational journey included graduating from Lincoln Senior High and attending Mildred Louise Business School.  Cornelia was united in wedlock in 1950.

Cornelia with her training from Mildred Louise, worked for a period of time as a secretary.  She loved her family and loved taking care of them.

On Wednesday, January 23, 2019 in O'Fallon, Illinois, Cornelia made her transition to her heavenly home.  She leaves to cherish her memory her daughter, Victoria Shaw;  two grandsons, Justin (Maribel) Smith and Cory (Ebony) Smith;  one great-granddaughter, Makaila Shaw;  one great-grandson, Jusson Smith;  two sisters, Loretta Jones and Dorothy Mason;  one brother, Dexter (Yvonne) Hopkins;  numerous other relatives and friends.