Rebecca Ellen "Dixie" Cornelius

Rebecca Ellen "Dixie" Cornelius, age 92, passed away peacefully at her home in Vallejo. After surviving breast cancer for over 25 years, it returned and waged a brief battle that she could not win. Dixie was born in Madera, California on February 17, 1933 to Vesta and William Balsdon. At the age of 9, the family moved to Vallejo as Bill came to work at Mare Island. Dixie would call Vallejo her home for the rest of her life. She attended Lincoln Elementary, Franklin Junior High School and graduated from Vallejo High in 1950. It was at Vallejo High that she met the love of her life, Glenn Cornelius. Glenn was student body president at Vallejo Junior College, which was on the same campus as the high school at that time. Glenn and Dixie wed in 1952 and were married 57 years until Glenn's death in 2009. After high school, Dixie worked for American Standard in Richmond and then Vallejo Unified School District. After the birth of her second child, Dixie left the school district to become a full-time mom and homemaker. For the rest of her life, she was 110% devoted to her husband, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Dixie became very active with the Parent Teacher Association at Cave Elementary School, Springstowne Junior High School, and Hogan High School. She served as president of those organizations multiple times. Dixie received two lifetime achievement awards from the National Parent Teacher Association. Dixie was also past president of the Exchangettes of the Vallejo Exchange Club. Dixie was an avid San Francisco Giants and 49ers fan. She and Glenn had 49er season tickets from 1952 through the late 1990s. They attended most home games starting at Kezar Stadium and then Candlestick Park. During the time her children were growing up and starting to move away, Dixie and Glenn traveled extensively, mostly with their bridge group. They were able to travel to almost every European country in addition to Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. Dixie was predeceased by her parents, husband Glenn, daughter Rhonda Russell, brothers Max and Jim Balsdon and brother-in-law, Harold Cornelius. She is survived by her sons, Rod Cornelius (Patti) and Rick Cornelius (Janet), daughter Rochelle Thurber (Don), son-in-law Tim Russell, grandchildren Brian Cornelius (Lisa), Brent Cornelius (Tina), Matt Russell (Mikaela), Derek Russell, (Jaime), Katelyn Russell (Chris), Drew Copas (Kelsey), Brad Cornelius (Emily), Amanda Cornelius, 13 great grandchildren, one great-great granddaughter, sisters-in-law Shirley Wilson and Yvonne Lafferty, and numerous nieces and nephews. Special thanks go out to Dixie's Kaiser Hospice nurse, Justine and her numerous caregivers. Per Dixie's request, there will be no funeral service, and burial was private under the direction and care of Twin Chapels Mortuary, Vallejo (707) 552-6696. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Tim & Jeannie Hamann Foundation, www.hamannfoundation.org, 513 1st Street, Benicia, CA 94510.

Rebecca Ellen "Dixie" Cornelius

February 17, 1933 - January 9, 2026