Elaine Maxwell Cornett, was born on January 24,1914, to C. E. and Beulah Culbertson Maxwell, passed away on her 103rd birthday, January 24,2017. Elaine was residing at the Holiday Resort Nursing Home, in Salina, Kansas.

Elaine grew up on the family farm, at Rush Hill, Missouri. She was the 5th of 12 children in the family. Her early years were spent succeeding in school, being active in the Rush Hill Community Church and 4-H.

Obit taken from Arnold Funeral Home website..


After graduating from Laddonia High School, Elaine attended Kirksville State Teachers College, and the University of Missouri. She taught in Audrain County schools.

On June 4,1940, Elaine married Judge Ralph Cornett, of Rush Hill. They moved to Mexico, Missouri, and were blessed with three daughters. She was a devoted mother, and wife. Elaine spent many hours volunteering at her daughters’ elementary school, with activities at the Mexico United Methodist Church, her beloved Democratic Party, P.E.O. Chapter IO, and the Democratic Women’s Club.

Elaine is survived by her daughter Peggy Coldicott (Ken), of Salina, KS., grandchildren Carissa Figgins (Robert), St. Charles, MO., Jennifer Higgins (Luke), Salina, KS., Andy Rhoads (Alyson), Grand Junction, CO., Sara Merritt (Clint), Chapman, KS., Leah Andrews, Boston, MA., and Adam Andrews (Whitney), Denton, TX. Her great grandchildren include Emma, Sam and Alex Figgins, Amelia Higgins, Tucker Rhoads, Grace, Cora and Landry Merritt, and Ford and Jude Andrews. She is also survived by a son-in-law, Ken Rhoads (Becky) of Mountain Home, AK. and Keith Campbell (Susan’s fiancé) of St. Joseph, MO. Elaine was preceded in death by her husband, two daughters, Becky Rhoads, and Susan Andrews, and her eleven siblings, Glenn Maxwell, Howard Maxwell, Roberta Murphy, Joe Maxwell, Laura Gierke, Clyde Maxwell, Ruth Spencer, Norris Maxwell, Margret Maxwell, Marion Maxwell and Charles Maxwell.