In Memory: Melissa Kordecki, 70, Co-Founder Of The Pumphouse Players

The following obituary was submitted by Owen Funeral Home:

Mrs. Melissa Ollene Kordecki, 70, of Cartersville, passed away on Monday, June 8, at Waldrop Personal Care Home. Mrs Kordecki was born in Cartersville on June 22, 1944, to the late Jesse and Effie Ray Cornett.

Tremendously talented, it was her compassion and empathy for others that was most inspiring. She made anyone who came in contact with her feel like the most important person in the world.

Ollene toured with different gospel singing groups, hosted a gospel radio show on WKRW, together with her husband Don Kordecki co-founded the theatre group known as The Pumphouse Players, sang in the Cartersville Opera Company, and was recently awarded the 10th Annual Kordecki Award for Contribution in the Arts.

In addition to her parents Mrs. Kordecki was preceded in death by her husband, Don Kordecki, five sisters, Doris Ray, Dora Spencer, Bobbie Shumate, Grace Brown, and Linda Brown, and two brothers, Gene Cornett and Robert Cornett.

She is survived by her son Adam Kordecki, two step-daughters Patty (Roger) Stringer of Marietta, GA, and Cory Ethridge of Millwood, NY, four grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren; four sisters, Joan Bennett, Mary (Charles) Siniard, Ann (Jerry) Garland, Sherry Cornett; and many nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service, celebrating the life of Mrs. Kordecki, was held on Sunday, June 14, at 2 PM in the Sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church, Cartersville, Reverend Coile Estes officiating. Internment will be Monday, June 15, at 1 PM at the Georgia National Cemetery, Canton. The family will receive friends at the Owen Funeral Home on Saturday, June 13, from 2 to 4 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cancer Research Institute (cancerresearch.org) and/or Cure Alzheimer’s Fund (curealz.org). Owen Funeral Home, 12 Collins Drive, Cartersville, is in charge of the arrangements.

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