Cornelius Sexton, 86, passed away August 8, 2009, at St. Mary's Medical Center of Scott County in Oneida.

Born March 7, 1923, he was preceded in death by his parents, Oma and Haywood Sexton; one son, Phillip Fenton Sexton; and one brother, Thornton Sexton.

He was a member of Paint Rock Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon for many years. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the United States Army where he fought with General Patton's 2nd Armored Division "Hell on Wheels". While in battle he traveled to Africa, Sicily, England, France, Belgium, Holland, and Germany; and earned several medals including: Silver Star, Bronze Star, Belgian Croix de Guerre, French Croix de Guerre, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Silver Star, American Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Golden Duck, Normandy Liberation Medal, Presidential Campaign Medal, Southwest Asian Medal with 4 Stars, and the American Defense Service Medal with One Star. He was wounded and medically discharged in 1945.

He is survived by his wife, Vilda "Bill" Slaven Sexton; one son, Leslie Sexton and wife, Vivian; three daughters: Patricia Roberts and husband, Ron, Marsha Barnes and husband, Dean, and Janet Yancey and husband, Sammy, all of Oneida; 12 grandchildren, 19 great-great-grandchildren, two sisters: Lola June Jeffers of Kodak, and Rose Marie "Kello" Sexton of Oneida; special cousin, Odell Sexton, Jr.; and many other relatives.

Funeral service was to have been conducted Wednesday, August 12, at 2 p.m., at Paint Rock Baptist Church with Rev. Dean Barnes and Rev. Roger Cecil officiating. Music was to have been provided by Paint Rock Baptist Church Choir. Interment was to have followed at Sexton Memorial Cemetery in the Paint Rock community.

Four Oaks Funeral Home had charge of arrangements.