Rupert McVaine Cornwall was born on June 13, 1962, in Greenwood, Mississippi, to the late Shirley McVaine and Jerlene Gambrell Cornwall. He was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church and completed his early and middle years of education at the Catholic School. He completed his first two high school years at Governor Dummer Academy in Byfield, Massachusetts, and graduated from Greenwood High School in 1981.

Rupert continued his studies at Mississippi State University, majoring in political science. He went on to study business administration at Mississippi University for Women while working part-time at United Parcel Service (UPS). He made a critical decision to leave Mississippi University for Women to take a full-time position as a driver at UPS upon his marriage to his high school and college sweetheart, Emma Jean Ratliff.

As teenage friends and then husband and wife, Rupert and Emma shared a wonderful 45 years together. They joined the Church of Christ, settled in Columbus, Mississippi, and were blessed with four wonderful children. Rupert was a loving and devoted husband and father. He cherished spending quality time with his wife, children, brothers, grandson, nieces and nephews. He was truly a family man and was adored for his kindness, thoughtfulness, generosity and humorous nature.

He shared a special bond with his five brothers and was always proud to continue the Cornwall-Gambrell family legacy. For him, family legacy and education were of the utmost importance, and that is why he worked so hard.

Rupert was well respected in the community and built many lasting friendships, especially at UPS. Due to his dedication and work ethic, he moved up the ranks and received numerous awards during his 36 years of service with the company. He was a one-of-a-kind family and company man.

He loved music, traveling, football, basketball, and home and outdoor projects. He had a genuine fondness for nature and gardening, so it was only fitting that the Lord called him home on the first day of spring.

Rupert is preceded in death by his parents, Shirley McVaine and Jerlene Gambrell Cornwall.

Left to cherish his memories: his wife, Emma Cornwall of Columbus, MS; four children, Emily (Byron) of Houston, TX, Elizabeth and Kathlyn of Columbus, MS, and Stephen of Tuscaloosa, AL; five brothers, Howard of Greenwood, MS, Caral of Arlington, TX, Cedric of Wauwatosa, WI, Vicount (Mary) of Carrollton, TX and Francis (Mary) of Mansfield, TX; one grandson, Liam of Columbus, MS; two aunts, Maggie Martin (Eric) of Hattiesburg, MS and Mildred Jenkins (Everett) of Mequon, WI; and a host of nieces of nephews.