Gloria Sue Cornman

Gloria Sue Cornman

Oct. 22, 1944-Sept. 18, 2026

Gloria Sue Cornman was a devoted wife, mother, stepmother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was a devout Christian, small business owner and Sunday School teacher. Gloria was beloved by those who had the great fortune to know her.

Born the third of 11 children in Morehead, Kentucky, she spent her childhood in the area of Morehead known as “Coldiron Holler,” where she spent her youth playing with her siblings and working in the family garden.

Gloria was a mother to four sons and played an integral role in raising her youngest siblings and grandchildren. She moved to Central Florida in 1972 and was a resident of Polk County for the rest of her life. For more than 20 years, she and her late husband, Chuck Cornman, operated their own country store in Davenport. They were married for more than 47 years until Chuck’s passing in October 2021. Gloria spent her working life as a cook, waitress and in retail.

In her spare time, Gloria enjoyed reading her Bible, cooking, baking, watching the Food Network and spending time with her family. Chicken n’ dumplings, chicken surprise, fried chicken, carrot cake and banana pudding were among her most notable dishes.

She was a member of Calvary First Assembly of God in Haines City for more than 20 years and served as a Sunday School teacher. For years, Gloria brought countless children from the surrounding neighborhoods near her store to Sunday School, so they could have the opportunity to know her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Everett Markwell and Alfreida Turner; her husband, Charles Cornman; her siblings, Peggy Howard, Wanda Faye Stinson and Monty “Bim” Markwell; and her sons, Timothy Wayne “Ronnie” Ferguson and Donald Ray “Rat” Ferguson.

Gloria is survived by her sons, Michael Ferguson and Mitchell Ferguson and his wife, Patrice; her stepdaughter, Anita Coleman and her husband, Robert; her stepdaughter, Sonya Herne; her stepsons, Jeffrey Cornman and his wife, Diane; Curtis Cornman and his wife, Dawn Fortunato-Cornman; and Kevin Cornman; her brothers, Thomas Markwell, Douglas Markwell, Anthony Wayne “Buck” Markwell and Everett Markwell Jr.; her sisters, Rena Harris, Nona Roush and Kay Cobb; and many beloved grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and in-laws.

A viewing will be held on Monday, Sept. 21 at 11 a.m. at Oak Ridge Funeral Care, 1001 E. Grace Ave., Haines City. A graveside service will follow at 1 p.m. at Evergreen Cemetery, 1917 County Road 547, Davenport.