Cornel Cave, 69, of Portsmouth, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 27, 2025, surrounded by his loving family after a hard-fought battle with cancer. He was a graduate of Portsmouth High School, class of 1974, and previously attended Washington School. He later studied at The Ohio State University for two years.
Cornel was born in Portsmouth on March 5, 1956, the son of the late Leroy Devlin and Wanda Lee Robinson Cave.
A skilled carpenter and proud member of Carpenter’s Local Union 437, Cornel worked in construction for the Community Action Organization and spent years using his hands to build, repair, and help wherever he was needed. He was also everyone’s favorite neighborhood mechanic. If something had a motor, he could fix it, often with a joke and a smile to go with it.
A self-taught musician, Cornel played guitar, drums, keyboard, and sang. As a member of the band Positive Image, music was one of his greatest joys. Many will remember seeing him around town, swaying with his guitar and playing from the heart. His music and spirit left a lasting impression on everyone who heard him.
Cornel is survived by his daughter, Brya Coleman, and her mother, Betty Coleman, and sister, Tamieka Coleman, all of Columbus: two brothers, Carlton Leroy (Christine) Cave, and Barry Jerome Cave, all of Portsmouth; and three sisters, Yulonda Cave, Tanya Lee (Bishop David) Cave Malone, and Velda Earlene Cave, all of Portsmouth; and many nieces, nephews and their families.
In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by a brother, Armand Bruce Cave; and a nephew, Carlton Leroy Cave II.
Funeral services will be held at noon on Thursday, July 3, 2025, at Beulah Baptist Church with Bishop Marcus Bendolph officiating.
The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to services. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Ralph F. Scott Funeral Home in Portsmouth.
