“In Between the Dash”

Written by Reverend Cornelius Madison George
March 23, 1947 – December 19, 2024

The third child born to the late Charles Jackson George I and Fannie Nimmons George. Being the middle child had advantages growing up, the eldest girl and boy born before me were named after my parents, but I was named after both of my grandfathers, Cornelius George and Madison Nimmons – thus becoming Cornelius Madison George.

Growing up in Birmingham, Alabama in the 60’s taught me early about life, being black, and to be proud of who you are and to honor your family. I joined Abyssinia Baptist Church at an early age where my Granddaddy was Chairman of the Deacon Board and Superintendent of the Sunday School for over 40 years, and was willing to pass the torch to the next generation who he had trained under the leadership of Rev. L. R. Jackson, a pastor who could preach, teach and lead during the 60’s and furthermore understood the role of outreach, mission and spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He understood and embraced the fact that the church is God’s hands and feet. After leaving home and thinking, “what’s going on in this big world?” I found out quickly that the world doesn’t love anybody.

EDUCATION
Leaving high school with a solid education under my belt, I attended Savannah State College for my freshman
year. During my freshman year, I was drafted into the Army during the Vietnam War where I became a certified Chef. I received an Honorable Discharge to return to college. After returning home, I went back to Savannah State College and later transferred to Georgia State University with a major in Social Welfare.

On January 3, 1976, I embarked on a very important journey. After 6 months of courtship, I married my wife –
The Sarah Francis Reid and we have been married up until now. My Daddy had set us up. He prepared her
taxes and told her he wanted her to meet me. He would tell me “I know this young lady who has a 4-year-old
daughter and is buying her own house at the age of 25 and I want you to meet her”. My thoughts – “don’t
want anybody my Daddy has picked out”. At that time, I was on the prowl, but God had a plan for me and my life.

With her, 3 wonderful daughters were born – Vertrina (Heart Throb), the leader of the pack and being the eldest child, wears it as a badge of honor; Eri Knema (Boon) is my middle child who adapts and loves service and Cornelia Marie (Pooh) is our baby and always will be. She was born to a Momma who has always made sure she was protected. Now in her 40’s, she runs the show!

PAUSE – some may say this is the longest obituary ever, this is 2024 and if you’re tired of reading – by all means
– STOP! I know the Leader of the Pack will do as I have asked because this is MY Homegoing!!!!!!!!!

From 2 daughters, I have 1 grandson and five beautiful granddaughters. My one and only grandson will be the glue that holds this family intact. In order, my eldest grandchild is Toni Eshon McBride who made us proud grandparents, next Madison Ashley Grubbs who bears my name, JArthur “Jay” Grubbs III is my one and only
grandson whom I am proud of, fourth is Teri Marie Deloach who I love with a passion, fifth and sixth are the twins Sarah Ashley & Sariyah Imani George – who are already reaping the benefits of being the last. I have always loved and supported everything they do.

TRANSFORMATION
In 1969, I lost my mother at only 22 years old but God’s plan was still working in my favor. After the funeral,
on my way back to school, I stayed over at a friend’s house from college whose mother was a God-fearing
woman and saw that I needed a mother. For the next 37 years, Selma Geneva “Naniboo” Dallas loved me like
a mother but with a rod of strength. For seven years, she visited me, sent me care packages and reminded me
who Jesus is – she and my Dad were in cahoots by then.
Once coming home and getting the wild out, my Dad told me that I needed to get my oldest daughter in Sunday School – not sending her — but taking her. He had put a plan in motion, knowing that if you stay around the fire you are bound to get warm. I chose to take Trina to Greater Moses Chapel Baptist Church, where my Naniboo was a member. Since I had to go with her, I decided that I may as well go to a class. The teacher of the Adult Class was Rev. L. S. Macon, a young minister from St. Louis, Illinois, who was the Associate Minister at the church, a matured saint that made you get deep into God’s word. My Naniboo was so advanced in the word and made you dive deep into it as well. She inspired me most to have a close relationship with God. Her motto was “Teach One – Share What You Know” so that God’s Army can be equipped with more soldiers.

As I look back over my life, I see God’s plan in action again. After a year of Sunday School and never going upstairs to worship service and getting beat up for all the wrong answers in Sunday School, I decided to attend the new 6 o’ clock service being led by Rev. L.S. Macon. Rev. J.M. Mann started this service to offer him a platform to express himself. He also started the Jubilee Choir to reach the young folks who had left the church and attract other young people. If you asked me, I was not going to nobody’s church at 6pm – I hadn’t even been to the 11am service yet!! Ha Ha!! My wife convinced me to go to the meeting to help organize because she was a “church goer” and loved to sing in the choir. I came out of that meeting not only as a choir member, but the President of the Jubilee Choir for the next 10 years – who would have thought??

CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE
Already with a firm foundation established at Abyssinia Missionary Baptist Church as a child and being taught sound doctrine, this Pastor, the Rev. J. M. Mann brought the Gospel to living proof. He showed that it could be done by living it himself. He was full of love, wisdom and faith. In my 10 years, I became a Deacon in 1978, President of the Jubilee Choir and served as Assistant Clerk of the church. I was able to create a Ward System for Deacons to have care over specific members, have personal contact with them and show genuine concern about their welfare.

In 1986, God’s Plan in Action, Rev. L.S. Macon branched out and started his own church. During the inaugural
service, myself and 25 members of the Jubilee Choir became members of the newly formed church, the Greater New Hope Baptist Church in the auditorium of Archer High School.

From 1986 until now, I have been a faithful member of Greater New Hope. I served as Chairman of the Deacon Board until I was called into the ministry. I gave my first sermon in August 1991, although my calling
was two years prior. There was a delay because Rev. Macon became ill and needed me to remain as Chairman
until his health improved. I wanted to be licensed by him and he did his official act as Pastor and returned to
preside over my first sermon. I have also served as Sunday School Superintendent, Teacher, Preacher and lover of God’s people.

FAMILY LEGACY
I was preceded in death by my paternal grandparents, Cornelius George and Henrietta Jones George, maternal
grandparents, Madison Nimmons & Coretta Dickens Nimmons, my parents, Charles Jackson George I and
Fannie Nimmons George, two beloved older siblings, Charles Jackson George, II and Fannie Harmon Bell and
two of their children, Charles Jackson George III and Robin Bell Stephens. Also, one of my brothers’ grandchildren, Brittany Holt.
I leave to cherish my life and legacy, my devoted and loving wife of 48 years, The Sarah Francis Reid George,
three remarkable daughters, Vertrina Eshon Grubbs, Eri Knema George and Cornelia Marie George who are all
Daddy’s Girls and spared no expense in spoiling me; one amazing son in law, the Rev. JArthur Grubbs, Jr., one
grandson, JArthur Grubbs, III, five granddaughters, Toni Eshon McBride, Madison Ashley Grubbs, Teri Marie
DeLoach, Sarah Ashley George and Sariyah Imani George.

I leave behind two younger sisters, Coretta Mitchell and Francine Jenola Harris, and their children and
grandchildren, Henrietta Mitchell, James Cornelius George and Jackie Harris, Caleb George and Gabbi George.
I leave my late brothers’ wife, Tonya “Mi Suk” George and my late sister’s husband, Robert Bell. My late brothers’ children and grandchildren, Barbara Holt, LaChaun Gilder, Charles Jackson George IV (his fiancé Sydney), Nakia Holt, Corey Holt; and his great grandchildren, Khloe and Bryson. My late sister’s children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, Roslyn (Teddy) Anderson, Rita (Ronnie) Jones, Renee (Victor) Shumate, Victoria Shumate, Keltin (Brittany) Stephens, Kelvin Stephens, Keltin Stephens Jr., Kerri Stephens and Carter Anderson.

Now for the Reid Clan, I was preceded in death by my devoted and loving mother-in-law, Ms. Rebecca
“Beckie” Sue Christian Reid, three brothers-in-law, Charles Reid, Billy Reid and Tommy Woods and two great
nephews, Nicolas “Nick” Jackson, II and Adrian Reid. I leave behind 3 brothers-in-law, Willie (Linden) Reid, Jr.,
Henry (Lori) Reid and Ronnie Reid, five sisters-in-laws, Sherry Reid, Mary Reid, Rev. Connie Woods, Margie
Reid and LaShunda (Norman) Kennebrew, along with their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
I also leave behind two loving, kind and respectable God-daughters, First Lady Wakeishi Edwards and Shun
Dixon, along with four God-fearing God-sons, Pastor Darrell Edwards, Rev. Julius Dixon, Rev. Dante Houston
and Rev. Demetrius Griffin along with their wives, children and grandchildren. Last but not least, I leave behind my cherished Greater New Hope Church family.
To God be the Glory!

The George Family is being assisted by Georgia Cremation-Fayetteville.