Vernon Arthur Cornett

Mr. Vernon Arthur Cornett of Greensburg, Kentucky, son of the late Joda and Lonnie Riddle Cornett was born on January 19, 1944, in Gordon, Kentucky. He departed this life on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, at the University of Kentucky Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky having attained the age of 80 years, six months and 18 days.

He had made a profession of faith in Christ and was a member of Broadway Church of Christ. 

Mr. Cornett graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with a degree in Political Science. He briefly taught school, did social work and became Personnel Manager of Island Creek Coal Company. Then, he continued his career as General Manager of W.P. Steel in West Virginia. He retired to a farm in Green County, Kentucky where he was an accomplished mule trainer and sold mules all over the country. To many he was simply known as “the mule man,” which not only describes his passion for his work, but also his expertise for training quality mules. In an article published in Kentucky Living magazine entitled “Mule Man,” the author describes Vernon, as “consistent, gifted, skilled and dedicated.” 

He was a farmer and member of the Green County Cattleman’s Association. Vernon enjoyed raising a large garden and especially planting sunflowers and zinnias with his granddaughter, Jody.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Sharon Browning Cornett, on June 26, 2023, his first wife and the mother of his daughter, Norma Jean Jeffrey Cornett, and one brother-in-law, Tom Miller.

Survivors include one daughter: Jo Ella Mallory of Campbellsville; one stepdaughter: Ashlee Owen (Russell) of West Virginia; one stepson: Michael Williamson (Lin) of Erlanger, Kentucky; one granddaughter: Jody Mallory; two step grandchildren: James Michael Owen and Taylor McClelland; one step great-grandchild: Peyton McClelland; two sisters and a brother-in-law: Ruth Ann Miller of Jackson, Kentucky and Pauline and James Brewer of Beattyville, Kentucky; special friends and neighbors: Jeff “Hammer” Young, Mark Sweazy and Dan Hedgespeth; plus a host of other relatives and friends.

Graveside services for Mr. Vernon Cornett will be at 1 P.M. on Saturday, August 10, 2024, at the Joe Cornett Family Cemetery in Gordon, Kentucky with Chris Clark officiating. 

Cumberland Valley Funeral Home is Honored to assist the Cornett Family.

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