Obituary of Joyce A. Cornelius

Joyce Ann (Ferguson) Cornelius, 84, of Deansboro, passed away on Friday, January 9, 2026, at Community Memorial Hospital in Hamilton, NY with her children by her side.

She was born in Rome, the daughter of the late Carl and Gladys (Clark) Ferguson on November 5, 1941. Joyce was raised in Westmoreland before her family moved to Madison while she was a teenager. She graduated from Madison Central School. On the family farm, which is now her brother John’s home, she met her husband, Paul. They were married April 22, 1967, at Deansboro United Church of Christ, sharing 51 blissfully wed years together until Paul’s passing in 2018. 

She worked for the United States Postal Service as a Rural Mail Carrier from 1975 - 2006.  During her career she assisted Oneida County in setting up the 911 numbering system in Deansboro. Joyce was an avid softball player, bowler, and member of the National 600 Bowling Club Inc. She was active in her community, serving with Home Bureau, the Barton Hose Co. Ladies Auxiliary and was a life member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW Post #9591. She loved doing puzzles and gardening. She always brought her famous scalloped corn to family gatherings.  Joyce looked forward to time spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was awaiting the birth of her third great-grandchild.

She will be missed by her two children and their spouses, Todd and Tammy Cornelius of Deansboro and Juli and Scott Eisenhart of Woodgate; her five grandchildren, Hunter, Ashley, Makayla, Macie and Logan; three cherished great-grandchildren Clara Anne, Bennett Grace and Braxton; her brother and sister-in-law, John and Carol Ferguson of Madison; sister-in-law, Eva Ferguson of Oneida; and many nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her parents; husband Paul; her siblings, Mary I. Fanning, Charles D. (Chuck) Ferguson, and Frank Ferguson; in-laws, Barb Adams Schuck and John and Genevieve Cornelius.

All are invited to call Monday, January 26, 2026, from 3-6pm at Owens-Pavlot & Rogers Funeral Service, 35 College St., Clinton. Funeral Services will follow at 6pm. She will be buried at Deansboro Cemetery in the spring.

The family thanks the Emergency Department at Community Memorial Hospital, Barton Hose Co. and COCVAC for the care given to Joyce.

Please consider donations to the Barton Hose Company Deansboro Fire Department in Joyce’s memory.