Cornelia Byars Vickery left this life for eternity on Sunday, April 17, 2016. Service: A private interment will be held in Moore Memorial Gardens in Arlington. Born in Vernon on Jan. 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. 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 pastimes 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. Survivors: 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; 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 hers many years of travel to Longboat Key, Fla.
Published in Star-Telegram on May 8, 2016