Dawn Carter Cornelius was born in Ruston, Louisiana June 10th 1965 and raised in Hope, Arkansas. She passed away on August 20th 2018 at her home in Pleasant View, Tennessee.
Dawn is survived by her mother Gerri Spears, brothers David and Duane Carter. She is also survived by other siblings by marriage Mark, Linda and Don Spears. She also had two adopted sisters Debra and Chris. Dawn was preceded in death by her father Dr. Robert D. Carter and stepfather Grayson Spears. Dawn is also survived by her husband Ron Cornelius. Ron is a world renown musician and producer in Nashville and Dawn was a highly respected songwriter and singer.
As a songwriter, Dawn was recognized during her career by heavyweight writers such as Harlan Sanders, Max D. Barnes, John D. Loudermilk, Harlan Howard and many others.
Dawn moved to Nashville after graduating high school in 1983 to pursue her career as a writer and singer. She traveled extensively in the U.S. and Canada as a vocalist prior to signing a publishing deal on Music Row. She met Cornelius in the recording studio while working with Buddy Hyatt and other top session musicians. Dawn and Ron loved each other until she passed away peacefully in her sleep August 20th 2018.
Dawn's music will live on - she was an extremely prolific writer. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends as well as the music community and her fellow writers.