Ordinary people, Extraordinary impact A big heart for helping others

by ANNETTE JOYCE

Anyone who meets Kathy Cornelius quickly realizes she’s someone who cares about others and wants to help them in any way she can. That was demonstrated many times over in her 41 years as a pharmacist, 28 of which were spent at the CVS in Summerfield before she retired last month.

The second of five children, Cornelius grew up in Greensboro and went to work for a local, independent pharmacy at age 15. After spending a few weeks working the front counter, she was invited to train as a technician. She credits the pharmacist, Bill Fuller, for his mentorship, which ultimately led her to her career path.

“He was so good about working with and helping people, and I liked the job so much I went to pharmacy school,” she said.

Cornelius graduated in 1981 from UNCChapel Hill, where she carried a full class load and worked two or three jobs simultaneously to pay for college.

In addition to learning the science related to her profession, she fully realized the importance of taking care of people and treating them right.

“Helping people was part of our training and we were videoed on how well we did,” Cornelius said.

Her first full-time pharmacy job was at Duke

Hospital in Durham. From there she moved into the retail world, and when she landed at CVS in Summerfield she knew she would be there for the long haul.

Cornelius’s dedication, empathy and compassion have made her a much-loved member of the Summerfield community. In fact, Summerfield resident and longtime CVS customer Rene’ Collins referred to her as an “icon” in the community.

“When I was raising my boys, you wouldn’t believe how many times I called her to ask questions,” Collins said. “She was always really helpful. I’ll miss her and probably all of Summerfield will miss her as well.”

“She is always willing to go the extra mile for anyone who needs something,” noted Karen Arney, Cornelius’s oldest sister. “Her commitment to others can be seen through the many times she has gone above and beyond for CVS customers and the community.

“Long before everyone was delivering products, Kathy would deliver prescriptions to those who were too sick to come in or too elderly to drive,” Arney said when asked for an example of her sister’s giving spirit. “She would also contact doctors who had prescribed a drug that created problems with prescriptions a customer was already taking. And she would take the time to talk to widows and widowers who had lost their spouses after prolonged illnesses.”

When asked about these things, Cornelius just shrugged and said that’s how she was raised.

“We always took care of each other,” she said. “Helping others is something I just like to do.”

Since retiring last month she’s been enjoying more time for other interests, but she admitted it’s been a little bittersweet.

“I really appreciated working at the same place, being part of the community and having so many people in my life,” she said.

These days she can be found close to home, working in her yard, cooking, crafting and hanging out with her English bulldog, Winston.

District 1 Sheriff’s Office has

ASSAULT

March 28 | Law enforcement officers responded to a report of an assault involving a physical altercation and a blunt instrument used as a weapon in the 7700 block of Sorrel Run Court in Summerfield (near Strawberry Road).

April 2 | A 23-year-old male was arrested in the 7600 block of Royster Road in northern Greensboro (off N.C. 150 W) for assault with a deadly weapon.

DEATH INVESTIGATION

March 28 | Officers conducted a death investigation in the 7700 block of Pond Ridge Court in Stokesdale (near U.S. 158).

DRIVING WHILE IMPAIRED

April 3 | A 54-year-old male was arrested in the 3800 block of Oak Ridge Road in Summerfield for driving while impaired.

FRAUD

March 23 | A resident of the 8300 block of Loyola Drive in Stokesdale (near U.S. 158) reported an unknown suspect used her banking information and committed credit card/ ATM fraud in the amount of $515.

INJURED ANIMAL

March 29 | Officers responded to a report of an injured animal in the 4600 block of U.S. 220 N/Tuttle

O. Myles, in a sheriff’s District 1 office report to Oak Ridge Town Council on March 30

Road in Summerfield.

Theft

March 27 | An employee of Circle K gas station in Colfax reported an unknown suspect shoplifted nine cases of beer worth $152.91 altogether.

March 29 | A resident of the 6800 block of Banning Road in