June 7, 88, Mount Olive

Donnell Edwin Kornegay, Sr. of Mount Olive, North Carolina died peacefully on June 7, 2020 while in the loving care of his children and grandchildren. He was celebrated on his 88th birthday the day before his passing.

Donnell was born in Duplin County on June 6, 1932, to father Edd Kornegay and mother Gladys Herring Kornegay. The youngest of four siblings, Violette, Lena and Nelda. Donnell followed in his father’s footsteps and started working on the family farm. After enlisting in the army, serving as a medic during the Korean conflict, he returned to expand the family farm raising cattle, hogs and growing crops. His work ethic and desire to take care of his family meant long hours of hard work in the fields. Donnell was invested in his community, fellow farmers and his friends at Snow Hill Free Will Baptist Church each supporting one another in the tough years of family farming.

Donnell was married for 57 years to his beloved wife, Edith Byrd Kornegay, who preceded him in death in June 2010. He is survived by his sister Nelda Kornegay Smith of Mount Olive; son Donnell Jr and wife Janice Head Kornegay of Mount Olive; daughter Kimberly Jane Kornegay and wife Susan Janet Clifton of Willow Spring; and son Robert Byrd and wife Penny James Kornegay of Mount Olive; grandchildren John Mitchell Kornegay, Elliott James and wife Cassie Pate Kornegay, Robert Chandler Kornegay and girlfriend Abby Jane Rivenbark, Chase Adam Kornegay, Cameron Thomas Kornegay and fiancé Carrie Megan Padgette, all of Mount Olive; great grandson McCagey Pate Kornegay and best friend a Maltipoo named Charlie.

Graveside service will be held Tuesday, June 9, at 6 p.m. at Snow Hill Free Will Baptist Church Cemetery, after which the family will receive friends on the church grounds. Friends and family may also call at the family home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Snow Hill Church, Pleasant Grove VFD, or the Duplin County Community Foundation.