Cornelia Byars Vickery
Proverbs 31:31 “Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.”
Cornelia Byars Vickery left this life for eternity on Sunday, April 17, 2016. Born in Vernon, Texas on January 27, 1927 she was preceded in death by her parents Leslie E. and Thida Thomas Byars, her husband Philip M. Vickery and her sister and brother-in-law Patsy and Bill Penwright.
Cornelia lived life splendidly for 89 years. She had an indomitable spirit, an impeccable sense of style, a beautiful smile and a tenacious love for family and friends. Beloved survivors are her daughter and son-in-law Suzanne and Carrol M. (Buzz) Bennett of Dallas, son and daughter-in-law Andy and Suzanne Speck of San Antonio, seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren to whom she was affectionately known as “Nana”. She also leaves behind 12 nieces and nephews and many treasured friends from her 54 years in Fort Worth, her last 10 years at Three Fountains Retirement Community in Dallas, and her Canadian friends from Philip’s and her many years of travel to Longboat Key, Florida.
For 16 years, Cornelia was an employee of the Bank of Commerce in Fort Worth serving as secretary to the President and Chairman of the Board of the Bank, and ultimately as an officer in the Commercial Loan Department. Following a brief retirement, she returned to banking, working in the Executive Offices of Bank One for five years, retiring for the last time in 1997. She was a member of Meadowbrook United Methodist Church, The Woman’s Club of Fort Worth, Symphony League of Fort Worth, the Petroleum Club of Fort Worth, Woodhaven Woman’s Club, and Cardinal Garden Club.
Cornelia loved traveling, entertaining and being entertained. She also loved making a difference in the community. After moving to Dallas in 2002 to be closer to her children, she rocked babies at church on Sunday mornings and, for many years was known as the popcorn lady at Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital. In later years, her favorite past-times were bridge, bingo, Wii bowling and eating butter pecan ice cream.
The family is thankful for the tireless commitment of the Park Cities Baptist Church ladies to the Tuesday afternoon Bible Study at Three Fountains; and Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care and Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas, for their generous care of Cornelia during her final days. A private interment will be held at Moore Memorial Gardens in Arlington, Texas. Memorials may be made to Meadowbrook Methodist Church, 3900 Meadowbrook Dr., Fort Worth, TX 76103.
