Ministry volunteer 'Ms. Happy' honored at Madison Co. Jail, surprise dedication ceremony

Sarah Best, Jackson Sun
·2 min read

After volunteering for nearly 30 years in jails and community outreach programs across the city spreading the word of God, Cornelia Tiller had a surprise dedication ceremony in her honor held at the Visitation Center of the Madison County Jail on Tuesday evening.

Cornelia Tiller (Ms. Happy) walks into a surprise dedication ceremony in her honor at the Madison County Jail Visitation Center in Jackson, Tenn., on May 16, 2023.
Cornelia Tiller (Ms. Happy) walks into a surprise dedication ceremony in her honor at the Madison County Jail Visitation Center in Jackson, Tenn., on May 16, 2023.

Adoringly referred to as "Ms. Happy," the 94-year-old was unexpectedly met with a crowd of dozens who came to commemorate the work she has done for the community and the life-altering impact she's had on so many.

In reflecting on her journey in jail ministry, she recalls that her "love for the Lord" prompted her to begin coming to the jail on a weekly basis.

Cornelia Tiller (Ms. Happy) receives a kiss on the forehead from her friend at the dedication ceremony honoring Tiller's volunteer work at the Madison County Jail in Jackson, Tenn., on May 16, 2023.
Cornelia Tiller (Ms. Happy) receives a kiss on the forehead from her friend at the dedication ceremony honoring Tiller's volunteer work at the Madison County Jail in Jackson, Tenn., on May 16, 2023.

"Everybody I would want to talk to about my Lord Jesus would run away from me, they didn't want to listen to me talk about the Lord Jesus," Tiller said. "So I finally found a group of people, my sweet jailbirds. They couldn't get away from me. They had to listen to about my Lord Jesus and they just seemed to enjoy it and we became best friends."

One officer noted that she's been a regular visitor of the Madison County Jail since it's establishment in 1998.

Madison County Sheriff's Director of Operations Jeff Wall read a proclamation to Tiller — who excitedly expressed sentiments of "God Almighty!" — as she learned that on behalf of City Mayor Scott Conger and County Mayor AJ Massey, May 16, 2023 is declared as "Cornelia Tiller Day."

Madison Co. Sheriff's Office Director of Operations Jeff Wall reads a proclamation to Cornelia Tiller from the City Mayor Scott Conger and Madison County Mayor AJ Massey that declares May 16, 2023 as "Cornelia Tiller Day" in Jackson.
Madison Co. Sheriff's Office Director of Operations Jeff Wall reads a proclamation to Cornelia Tiller from the City Mayor Scott Conger and Madison County Mayor AJ Massey that declares May 16, 2023 as "Cornelia Tiller Day" in Jackson.

She recalled the origin of being called "Ms. Happy" came from her time as a school teacher while she was constructing her lesson plans when a young girl entered her classroom unannounced.

"She wasn't supposed to be in there and she said 'What's your name?'" Tiller said. "And ... do you know what came out of my mouth? 'My name is Ms. Happy.'"

Along with her cheerful spirit and gleaming smile, the nickname stuck for decades.

Circuit Court Judge Donald Allen and Madison Co. Sheriff's Office Director of Operations Jeff Wall turn to Cornelia Tiller (Ms. Happy) after the unveiling of her portrait that now hangs in the Madison Co. Jail Visitation Center. Tiller was honored for her 30 years of volunteer service at the jail in Jackson, Tenn., on May 16, 2023.
Circuit Court Judge Donald Allen and Madison Co. Sheriff's Office Director of Operations Jeff Wall turn to Cornelia Tiller (Ms. Happy) after the unveiling of her portrait that now hangs in the Madison Co. Jail Visitation Center. Tiller was honored for her 30 years of volunteer service at the jail in Jackson, Tenn., on May 16, 2023.

As Wall and Circuit Court Judge Donald Allen unveiled the portrait of Ms. Happy that now hangs in the Visitation Center of the jail, she joked that she's "never had so much attention." With plans to continue jail ministry for as long as she can, Tiller finds rides from family, friends, and neighbors who bring her to the jail once a week.

In a closing word of advice, Tiller explained that being 94 years old has not stopped her from living a fruitful life and continuing to give back to her community.

"I want to tell y'all that old people have more fun than anybody," Tiller said. "It is the most fun being old, I love it. God is so good to me, and y'all are so good to me. Just wait and be old, and be thankful cause you're going to have a marvelous time being old. It is more fun than anything I've ever done, and I've done everything."

This article originally appeared on Jackson Sun: Jail ministry volunteer honored at Madison Co. Jail on Tuesday