John Bennette Cornwell

John Bennette Cornwell III of Mt. Pleasant, SC passed away on October 30th, 2023, at home with his loving wife, Lisa B. Cornwell, and family after a valiant fight with cancer.   

Born in Sumter, SC to Jeanne Harby and John Bennette Cornwell, Jr., Bennette and his two siblings, Mike and Pam, spent their early years in Spartanburg SC.  Bennette was a graduate of Spartanburg High School class of 1965, a member of the high school golf team and an Eagle Scout.  Clemson football games shaped the Cornwells’ fall activities even before Bennette enrolled in Clemson.  As a student there, he was a member of Sigma Kappa Epsilon fraternity and graduated in 1970 with a B. S. degree in Industrial Management.  Having participated in Army ROTC at Clemson, Bennette continued serving in the National Guard.

Bennette’s work career began in Fort Lauderdale, Florida as a sales and marketing manager with the Exxon Company. From that work, he joined Hurley and Harrison textile company where he served as VP of Sales, President, and Principal owner until his retirement.  

The Clemson tailgating activities always began with the Doppler radar guru, Bennette, giving a weather report, checking transportation, tickets and parking passes, supervising the loading of tables, tents, chairs and delegating the set-up for the tents once at the parking spot. Friends from far and wide also joined the Cornwell clan.  These were fun weekends which often included a pontoon boat cocktail cruise on Lake Keowee with Bennette at the helm and beach music blaring from the speakers.  Lots of laughter occurred all weekend among the family dinners and breakfasts at the Lake!  

Travel for Bennette and Lisa made the most of their common interests in music, snorkeling, and boating.  Trips together over the years to the Bahamas, New York, Las Vegas, Biloxi, Abacos, Italy, and France created cherished memories.  

Bennette was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Alison Lewis Cornwell as well as his parents, Jeanne Harby Cornwell and John Bennette Cornwell, Jr.  Left to treasure his memory are his wife, Elizabeth B. Cornwell; son, Stephen Lane Cornwell; sister, Pamela Cornwell Shuler (Michael); brother, Michael Harby Cornwell (Jean), Jennings Cornwell King (Brennen), Miller Allen King, Bennette Bowman Cornwell; and cousins, nieces, and nephews. 

A celebration of life will be held at a time to be announced later. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., Mt. Pleasant Chapel

If desired, memorials may be sent to Roper Hospice, 8536 Palmetto Commerce Parkway, Gladson, SC  29456 or a charity or your choice.

A message may be sent to the family on our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com.