Isabelle Doretha Keene

Isabella Dereath Cornish-Keene was the youngest of seven children born to the late Fred and
Daisy Cornish. She was born on August 6, 1933 in Dorchester County, Smithville, Md.
Isabelle, Issie or Belle as she was so affectionately called went home peacefully to be with the
Lord on Friday, January 27, 2023 at Autumn Lake at Chesapeake Woods Nursing Facility in
Cambridge, Md. with her son by her bedside singing to her and holding her hand. While
transitioning she waved goodbye with her right hand.
She was raised in Smithville, Md. and attended the public school of Dorchester County in Christ
Rock. At an early age Isabelle had a son Emerson Cornish who preceded her in death. Later
she met the love of her life the late Johnny S. Keene and they were joined in Holy Matrimony
whom she loved dearly and they enjoyed many years together. From the union was born one
son Johnny S. Cornish. She attended the New Revived U.M. Church, Smithville, Md. Isabelle
served faithfully at her church until her health failed. She loved helping wherever needed
especially in the kitchen frying oyster fritters for Homecoming and Camp meetings.
Isabelle was a member of the Pink Carnations. She loved wearing fancy hats, rings, lipstick and
nail polish. She also loved going for rides with her son and others. Isabelle was a seasonal
worker in the tomato factory, oyster house and corn factory.
She had a quite spirit, never complaining when sick up until her death. When asked how are
you doing? She would reply “O, I’m doing fine or I’m doing good.
Isabelle was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother and will be deeply
missed by many.
Isabelle was preceded in death by her parents Fred and Daisy Cornish, son, Emerson Cornish,
husband, Johnny S. Keene, brother Charles Cornish, 5 Sisters, Emma Cornish, Sohpia Cornish-
Travers, Mary Cornish, Helen Cornish, and Annie Cornish-Ward, one niece, Margorie Cornish-
Sampson and one nephew James Travers, Jr.
She leaves to cherish her memories a loving son, Johnny S. Cornish, Sr.(Louise), one
grandson, Johnny S. Cornish, Jr.(Kristen), three great grandchildren, Aliza, Jayde and Jorden,
one loving young man whom she loved and helped raise as her son Tevis, three nieces, Gail
Sampson-Wilson, Meta Sampson-Foster and Tanya Sampson-Jackson, three nephews, Arthur
Sampson, Jr., Dail Sampson and Lance Sampson, two special nieces Ann Hooper- Johnson,
Lequia”Sweetie” Hooper and two special nephews Dionte Hooper and Nathaniel Keene and a
very special and close friend Nona Stanley and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Click this link to view additional details about Isabella's Services: https://my.gather.app/remember/isabelle-doretha-keene