She is survived by her three children, Judge Karen Alice Cornick Craig, Susan Alice Cornick, Esq., Lisa Alice Cornick Kelly, sons-in-law, Brion E. Craig and Gary L. Kelly and 10 grandchildren, Daniel, Benjamin, Elijah, Matthew, Moriah, Saige, Jarah, Jahir, Kristen and Brendan, Sister-in-law Gwendolyn Williams, as well as nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of family and friends.

She is predeceased by her parents, brother Elias "Billy" Williams, cousin Nathan Eaton, sister Sylvia Fulton and grandson Immanuel.  She is also predeceased by her former husband, Dr. Delroy L. Cornick, to whom she was married from 1953-1973.

Helen was a smart and diligent student who graduated from DuSable High School in Chicago at the age of 16.  In 1953, she received her B.A. in Education from Chicago State University. In 1963, she received training in the Montessori Philosophy at the St. Nicholas Training Centre in London, England.  In 1966, she studied for her real estate license and became a registered real estate broker. In 1979, she received her Master's in Education from Loyola College in Baltimore, Maryland.  In 2008, at 79 years old, she received her ordination in Biblical Prophecy.   During her 45-year career as an educator, she taught in the Chicago public schools and at Lafayette Elementary School in Washington D.C., from which she retired in 1993.  During her retirement, she taught at Howard Community College in Columbia, Maryland. Helen said that the highlight of her career as an educator was motivating inner-city children to achieve science and oratory awards in city-wide competitions.

Helen moved from Chicago to Silver Spring, Maryland in 1966 with Dr. Cornick and their three daughters. In 1969, they moved to the then brand new planned city of Columbia, Maryland.  Throughout their lives, they hosted dignitaries and diplomats in their home, as well as filled their home with friends from all cultures, ethnicities and religions. After their move to Columbia, Helen became a founding member of St. John's Baptist Church, for which she later served as choir president, secretary, historian and choir member.

Helen was enormously talented and had numerous interests.  She was a talented singer who studied voice and her favorite recital solo piece was "Ava Marie." She also loved acting and was a member of the Chicago Playhouse. She studied art and literature, and her striking beauty inspired artists and photographers to use her as a model.  She traveled extensively and visited London, Paris, Mexico, Canada and the Bahamas.  In her 60's she visited Israel and in her 70' she traveled to South Africa.   Over the years, she was a Brownie troop leader, Jack and Jill leader, member of the African-American Women's Club, the Concerned Parents Club and the Spanish Club, among numerous other organizations to which she contributed her time and energy.  Helen was a life-long advocate of healthy living and was a vegetarian through much of her adult life, played tennis, fenced, practiced yoga, jogged into her 50's and swam and practiced tai chi until 80 years old.

During her 25 years of retirement, she devoted herself to her 10 grandchildren, including traveling with each of them to her family's reunion in Michigan, attending sporting events, recitals and plays and shared her accumulated faith and wisdom with them.

Her greatest passions in life were her unyielding faith in God and her children and grandchildren, who are blessed by her powerful legacy. She passed away quietly and peacefully at home where she was surrounded by her children, son's-in-law and grandchildren.

She is remembered by her family and countless friends for her faith and love, her compassion and care for others, her joyful countenance and love for life, her wisdom and her incandescent smile.