Zona Hayes Cornelison Morrow, 62, of Cleveland, Tennessee, passed away Wednesday, November 25, 2015 in a local health care facility.
She was born on Aug. 24, 1953 to Norvel and Noreen Hayes. She was born prematurely so she came out a fighter and has stayed that way her whole life. Zona has overcome numerous attacks on her health and came out stronger on the other side. She was a daddy’s girl right from the beginning and was always looking after her “little daddy” as she called him. She would always crawl up in his lap and pat his face. They shared a strong bond and he was her mentor.
She was married to Bobby Cornelison for 29 years until he passed away. Together they had a beautiful daughter named Debra Lee Cornelison who was the pride and joy of her heart. She loved aerobics and taught health and fitness her entire life. She ran her own fitness studio for many years and continued to teach and write articles about health and nutrition even while she was in ministry. She became a full-time part of the ministry in 1991 when God told her to come to Bible College because she would need to understand how the students felt. So she drove all the way from Harrison to Cleveland every day before moving back to Cleveland. Soon after she took over running the Bible College and began traveling on the road preaching. She was able to mentor and touch many lives through her time in the Bible College.
In 1994 she was first diagnosed with kidney failure but she fought on. She got her first kidney in 1996 but her body rejected it. She continued to fight until 1998 when she got her next miracle. Doctors were continually amazed at the miracles in her body whether it was how healthy she was, how fast her collarbone was healed or how strong her faith was. The more the devil would attack her, the more she would fight back, praying and witnessing to everyone she met. After Bobby passed away, she became the senior pastor of New Life Bible Church.
God brought Terry Morrow back into Zona’s life after Bobby passed. They were married 12 years and laughed every day. She got her next kidney miracle in 2010 and was doing great until cancer attacked her body. Her faith and confession stayed strong but her body couldn’t wait any longer. Anyone that knew her knew what it felt like to be loved. She made everyone feel like they were the most important person in the room. She cared deeply about everyone and was one of the most giving people you would ever meet. She personally touched thousands of lives through her life, her testimony and her ministry not to mention the thousands more that were impacted by someone she trained and raised up. She may be gone but her presence, her laughter, her heart and her legacy will live on forever by all that knew her.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Noreen Hayes; her first husband, Bobby Cornelison; aunt, Dorothy Firestone; and uncle, Alvin Firestone.
She is survived by her husband, Terry Morrow; father and step-mother, Norvel and Maggie Hayes; daughter, Lee Cornelison; and her cousin, Deanna Uhl.
The funeral will be held at 3 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 30 at Mt. Olive Ministries with Pastor Elaine Hollmer officiating. Interment will follow in Zion Cemetery in Benton with Radiant Didla, Damien Parodi, Ryan LeStrange, Roosevelt Armendariz, Jon Cavanaugh, Cody Inman, Carter Check and Craig Jones serving as pallbearers.
Her family will receive friends from 12-2:30 p.m. at the church prior to the service.
The family suggests that a donation may be made in memory of Zona to: New Life Community Kitchen, 155 S. Ocoee St., Cleveland, TN 37311.
Fike-Randolph & Son Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.