Country Singer Helen Cornelius Dies at 83

Helen Cornelius, the acclaimed country music singer-songwriter known for her duets with Jim Ed Brown, passed away at the age of 83. Cornelius rose to prominence in the 1970s with hits such as "I Don’t Want to Have to Marry You," which earned her and Brown the CMA Award for Vocal Duo of the Year in 1977, and their Grammy-nominated song "If the World Ran Out of Love Tonight." Born in Missouri, she began her music career early, initially as a songwriter for prominent artists including The Oak Ridge Boys and Reba McEntire, before finding lasting success as a performer paired with Brown. Following their successful collaboration, Cornelius pursued a solo career, touring with notable acts like Conway Twitty and The Statler Brothers, and later opened a dinner theater where she performed regularly. Fans and fellow artists have expressed their admiration for her talent and kindness, highlighting her lasting impact on country music. Cornelius was inducted into the Missouri Country Music Hall of Fame in 2005 and continued to perform well into the 2000s.