Ollie Lee Cornelius Niemzak, 91, of Birmingham, Alabama passed away May 26, 2017. Lee was born in Birmingham and was the only daughter of the late Oliver Zion and Minnie Lee Cornelius. Lee graduated from Woodlawn High School in 1944. She graduated from the University of Alabama in 1950 and was an avid Alabama fan. She later obtained a teaching certificate from Samford University. While she spent most of her years as a loving homemaker, she was also a home agent with the extension service and a teacher in the Birmingham Public School System. She was a dedicated member of Huffman Baptist Church for 62 years. Lee dearly loved her family and cherished the time she spent with them. She was a devoted wife and an inspiration and supportive guide to all her children and grandchildren. She is survived by Anthony Joseph Niemzak her husband of 65 years; her daughter Janice Lee Cotton (James) and her son Michael Anthony Niemzak (Beverly); five grandchildren, Mallory Johnson (Brett), Anthony Niemzak, Tiffany Bencko (Greg), Nicole Grigsby (Tim), and Kathryn Cotton; and three great grandchildren. Lee is predeceased by her son Kenneth Edward Niemzak. Visitation will be from 11:30 – 1:00 on Thursday, June 1 at Ridouts Trussville Chapel. A memorial service will follow at 1:00 in the chapel with internment immediately after at Jefferson Memorial Trussville. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to OneSky for all Children at www.onesky.org or mailed to OneSky, 715 Hearst Avenue Suite 200, Berkeley, CA 94710. Everyone that knew her will miss her and value the loving influence she had on their lives.
Published in The Birmingham News on May 31, 2017