OBITUARY

Dr. Timothy Lee Cornett September 5,1940– July 2, 2026

Dr. Timothy Lee Cornett of Blairsville, Ga, beloved husband, father, grandfather, minister, missionary, entrepreneur, and visionary, peacefully entered the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on July 2, 2026. After a lifetime devoted to serving God and sharing the Gospel around the world, he now rejoices in the eternal home he faithfully preached about for more than six decades.

He was preceded in death by his beloved son, Philip Lee Cornett; his sister, Josie Faye Carter his brother, Joseph Alexander Cornett Jr.; and his parents, Joseph Alexander Cornett, Sr. and Opal Stone Cornett of Rockmart, Georgia. He is survived by his devoted wife of 63 years, Betty Ruth Hill Cornett of Blairsville, Ga, whose faithful partnership in ministry carried them around the world in 87 countries.

He is also survived by his loving daughter, Tina Cornett Lisy of Monroe, Georgia. He leaves behind two grandsons: Brandon Lisy and his fiancée, Heather Bettini, and Stephen Lisy and his wife, Jessica Lisy. He was the proud great-grandfather of Hunter, Bradley, Paisley, Brooklyn, Sutton, and Valen. He is also survived by one sister, Anna Blewitt of Waycross, Ga. and many cherished nieces, nephews, extended family members, in addition to countless spiritual sons and daughters whose lives were forever impacted by his ministry. 

At the age of 17, Timothy surrendered his heart to Jesus Christ and answered God’s call into the ministry. That decision transformed his life forever. From that moment forward, he pursued God’s purpose with unwavering faith, remarkable vision, and complete dedication. Dr. Cornett attended Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee, where he studied theology, as well as Emmanuel College in Franklin Springs, Georgia. In recognition of his humanitarian work in Bulgaria, he was also awarded an honorary doctorate degree. 

During the first year of their marriage, Tim and Betty believed God would send them around the world to preach the Gospel. That calling became the defining mission of their lives. For the next 63 years they faithfully traveled throughout the United States and across the nations, proclaiming the message of Jesus Christ. Their ministry first focused on Bible training, evangelism, and missionary outreach throughout Central and South America, often traveling into remote jungles, mountain villages, and difficult regions to reach people who had never heard the Gospel. In 1965, they made their first overseas missionary journey to Europe. They ministered to American military personnel stationed in Germany, traveled into Turkey, crossed the English Channel, and spent seven months in England ministering in churches, including many Jamaican congregations. These experiences became only the beginning of a lifetime devoted to international missions. 

In 1966, they returned to the United States where their daughter, Tina, was born. As their family grew, they answered God’s call to pastor the Duluth Church of God in Duluth, Georgia. During twelve fruitful years of ministry, the church experienced tremendous spiritual and numerical growth, expanding from a small congregation to nearly 800 members. When God again called them into evangelism, they traveled throughout Georgia—especially North Georgia—preaching revival services and encouraging churches wherever doors opened. 

Alongside his ministry, Dr. Cornett possessed an extraordinary entrepreneurial spirit. He believed ministry and business could both be used to honor God and serve families. He purchased and developed several cemeteries throughout Northeast Georgia, including Nancy Hart Memorial Park in Hartwell, Franklin Memorial Gardens in Lavonia, and Royston Memorial Gardens in Royston. Although successful in business, God’s call to the mission field once again became irresistible. He sold his cemetery interests and returned to full-time missions. God then directed his heart toward the nation of Bulgaria shortly after the fall of the Iron Curtain. Seeing a nation hungry for hope, Dr. Cornett became one of the pioneering Pentecostal missionaries in the region. For more than three decades he faithfully preached Christ throughout Bulgaria, established churches, trained pastors, founded a Bible college, and developed a ministry in Dobrich. In the Dobrich and Balchik region, a four story multipurpose facility was built for summer camps, conference center for ladies ministry, widows, special-needs orphans, revivals, and community outreach. His influence continues today, and more than 38 years later, the Gospel he preached is still being proclaimed throughout Bulgaria.

In 2012, Dr. Cornett fulfilled another lifelong dream by purchasing Hill Haven Memory Gardens & Mausoleum in Monroe, Georgia. He viewed the cemetery not simply as a business, but as a ministry of compassion, a sacred place where grieving families could find hope, comfort, and the message of eternal life. Today, that ministry continues through his family, carrying forward the vision and values he established. Dr. Cornett’s greatest legacy was never measured by the churches he pastored, the countries he visited, the businesses he built, or the buildings he constructed. His greatest legacy was his unwavering faith in Jesus Christ and his lifelong commitment to sharing the Gospel with the world. Thousands heard the message of salvation because he answered God’s call, and generations will continue to be influenced by the life he faithfully lived.

Though his earthly ministry has ended, his influence lives on through his family, the ministries he established, the churches he strengthened, the missionaries he mentored, the pastors he trained, and the countless lives forever changed by the power of Jesus Christ. His family rejoices knowing they will see him again, for he faithfully fought the good fight, finished his course, and kept the faith.

A Celebration of Life honoring Dr. Timothy Lee Cornett will be held on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at Lighthouse World Outreach Center. Following the service, a committal and entombment service will take place at Hill Haven Memory Gardens & Mausoleum in Monroe, Georgia.

Mountain View Funeral Home in Blairsville, Georgia, as well as Meadows Funeral Home in Monroe, Georgia, will be handling all arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial gifts be made to the missions ministry that was so dear to Dr. Cornett’s heart, ensuring that the Gospel continues to be proclaimed to future generations.