Dianna Murphy

Waleska, GA - Dianna Sue Cornell Murphy, 58, of Waleska, Georgia, died Sunday, February 20, 2011.

She was born May 10, 1952 at Elmholm Hospital in Cobleskill, and was the daughter of Lyndon B. and Fanchon (Dewell) Cornell of North Blenheim.

During her junior and senior years at Gilboa-Conesville Central School, she was named an Outstanding Teenager of America; she graduated as class president and valedictorian in 1970. In 1974, she was summa cum laude graduate of Plattsburgh SUC, earning a B.A. degree in biology. In 1978, she received her Doctor of Medicine degree from University of Rochester School of Medicine, becoming the first alumnus from G-CCS to do so since its inception in 1931. She did her four year residency in pathology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia.

A student in music at G-CCS and in her community, she was a band member and school choir accompanist , and also the organist at two local Presbyterian churches in North Blenheim and Breakabeen, and a candy striper at Bathgate Hospital in Stamford, until entering college. She spent two college summers as an Appalachian Leader for Community Outreach, working from Alice Lloyd College in Pippa Passes, KY, teaching children while living in Garner with a local couple, Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Childers, who became second parents to her.

Following marriage and in addition to her own three children, she became a surrogate mother through Cross Connections in Atlanta to a deformed seven-year-old child from El Salvador, who endured multiple surgeries while living with her and her family. For a time she volunteered at a nearby medical clinic, as well as becoming doctor in residence at Fellowship Christian School where her children attended.

She was a member of East Cobb Presbyterian Church; pottery maker, photographer, using her photographs to fashion Bible Scripture greeting cards; an expert in the use of yarn. Her skills resulted in beautiful paintings displayed in homes of relatives and friends as well as her own home. She shared a great love for horses and riding with her daughter.

She was predeceased by an aunt, Phyllis Dewell Clapper in 1966; her next-door grandparents, Everett and Evelyn (Safford) Dewell in 1993; and her father, Lyndon B. Cornell in 1995.

Dianna is survived by her former husband of 27 years, Hugh R. Murphy of Marietta, GA; her children, Rachel Joan (Josh) Hyder of Landrum, SC, Matthew Cornell Murphy of Tampa, FL, and Sarah Loraine Murphy of Athens, GA; granddaughter Eve Lavender Hyder and expected Hyder grandson in May; her mother Fanchon Cornell, and a brother and sister-in-law, Lyndon and Marie Cornell, all of North Blenheim; two nieces, Alicia (Bill) Hoesch of Santee, CA and Melissa (Keith) Graham and a grand-niece, Larkin, of North Blenheim; cousins Franklin, Phillip (Fr. Theophylact), Kevin and Jeannie Clapper, Bonnie, Larry and Jeffrey Cornell, Duane and Janet Banner; and several second cousins; also special friends , Patricia Horelick and Nancy Hull, both of Marietta, GA.

A graveside committal service will be held at 2:30 pm on Saturday, May 7, 2011 at Old Stone Fort Cemetery, Fort Road, Schoharie, NY where she will be buried next to her father. A period of visitation will be held from 1:30 pm until 2:30 pm at the cemetery prior to the committal service. A memorial service was held Sunday, February 27, 2011 at East Cobb Presbyterian Church in Marietta, GA.

Local arrangements are entrusted to Palmer & Shaylor Funeral Home of Middleburgh, NY and Mereness-Putnam Funeral Home of Cobleskill, NY.