Robin Sorrow Cornelison, age 51, of Jonesborough, Tennessee, left us suddenly on the morning of Friday, October 3, 2025.

Born in Johnson City in 1974, Robin was the beloved daughter of Mary Sue (Puckett) Smith and the late Marvin Thomas Sorrow. She attended Mary Hughes Elementary School and graduated from Sullivan East High School.

From the very beginning, Robin lived with her heart wide open. A true believer in love, loyalty, and the power of human connection, she embodied the quote she held dear from Lilo and Stitch:

“Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten.”

Nothing defined Robin more than her devotion to her family. Her daughter, Lauren Cornelison, was the joy of her life, and Robin’s pride in the intelligent, creative, compassionate young woman Lauren has become was boundless. She loved her husband of 23 years, Keith Cornelison, as her steadfast partner and best friend. The two shared a deep connection rooted in mutual encouragement, laughter, and unwavering support.

Robin spoke to her mother, Sue, every day, a rhythm of love and constancy that never wavered. She also held a special place in her heart for her nieces and nephews, Matthew, Katie, Megan, and Rance, whom she often claimed as her own. Her love extended to the next generation as well; she doted on Katie’s daughter, Maya, with singular affection, and though she never got the chance to meet Matthew and Abby’s daughter, Lilly Sorrow, she would have adored her.

Robin was a fierce advocate for children. Nothing moved her more deeply than the pure innocence of a baby or the struggles of a child facing unfair circumstances. Her empathy ran deep, and she believed every child deserved the chance to grow up loved, safe, and hopeful.

But for Robin, family wasn’t limited by blood. Her lifelong best friend and co-worker, Jackie (Mclaney) Norton, was like a sister to her, and she loved Jackie’s daughter, Alyssa, and parents, Jack and Carolyn Mclaney, with the same deep affection she offered to her own kin.

Robin devoted nearly three decades of her career to BAI Municipal Software, beginning as a tech support representative and eventually becoming the company’s Vice President. She brought to her work the same heart-centered approach she brought to life. She knew her coworkers as people first, employees second, celebrating their families’ milestones as if they were her own. Her leadership was marked by compassion, transparency, and a genuine desire to lift others up. Even her clients felt like family; she approached every professional relationship with openness, honesty, and the sincere wish to help.

Over the years, Robin came to know and love four generations of the Bright family, the founders and owners of BAI, from Tony and Connie, to David and Melinda, to Davy and Belle, and their children Oliver, Willow, and Tallulah. They were more than colleagues or employers to Robin; they were a second family, and she cared for them with the same fierce loyalty and warmth that defined all her relationships.

Her adoration for life was not just limited to humans but also extended to the animals of the world. She was the originator of the “Pippi Voice,” the voice of the beloved family dog, Pippi. They would often spend mornings together cuddled up in bed, and Pippi would be at her side until the call of work begrudgingly tore them apart. She housed a lifelong quest of luring the family cat into what was perceived as the “devil chair,” eager to get him to allow her to pet him while in it. On May 31st, she achieved this goal. She was an avid fan of dogs and longed for another to be fully hers after our beloved golden retriever, Chase. Because of this, she was a constant talker of sneaking a German Shepherd or Goldendoodle into the house.

Robin didn’t dabble in many hobbies, but when she loved something, she went all in. She found joy in giving, delighting in thoughtful gifts for holidays, milestones, or simply “just because.” She was especially passionate about supporting veterans’ causes (in honor of her father, a Vietnam veteran) and children’s charities.

A proud foodie, Robin savored both a beautifully prepared restaurant dish and a comforting home-cooked meal. She was a voracious reader, having devoured hundreds of books, and had recently launched an online bookstore to share her love of literature with others. Her passion for stories was only rivaled by her love for the beach, the waves, the seafood, and the sunshine brought her peace. She also adored the magic of Disney World, often planning trips down to the smallest detail, finding as much joy in the anticipation as in the experience itself.

Robin was preceded in death by her father, Marvin Thomas Sorrow, and her maternal grandmother, Vida Ruth Puckett.

She is survived by her loving husband, Keith Cornelison; daughter, Lauren Cornelison; mother, Mary Sue (Puckett) Smith; brother, Brad Sorrow (Kris); step-sisters, Carol Green and Deena Taylor (Jeff); nieces and nephews, Matthew Sorrow (Abby) and their daughter, Lilly; Katie Lopez (Juan) and their daughter, Maya; Megan Sorrow (Chance); Rance Tipton; and Mattie Hartman (Harrison) and their children, AJ and Everly.

She is also survived by the countless others who called her family, lifelong friends, devoted co-workers, and those fortunate enough to be loved by her as one of her own.

An informal celebration of Robin’s life will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at Dillow-Taylor Funeral Home in Jonesborough, Tennessee. A brief reading and prayer will follow, along with an opportunity to share your memories and stories. Please feel free to come as you are, casual attire is perfectly welcome.

Robin lived with a heart that reached wide and deep, a heart that believed in love above all else. She leaves behind a legacy of kindness, generosity, and fierce devotion to those she loved.

May we honor her best by loving our people as she loved hers; fully, fearlessly, and without hesitation.