June 5, 2022, 70, Wilmington –

Katherine “Kathy” Kornegay Ellis, 70, of Wilmington, passed away Sunday, June 5, 2022, peacefully at her home, where she was surrounded by family and friends.

Kathy, daughter of the late Norwood and Amber Kornegay, was raised in Mount Olive, where she was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church. She graduated from Southern Wayne High School in 1970 then obtained a degree in education from East Carolina University in 1974. She was a talented and dedicated educator at Topsail High School, where she spent well over 30 years teaching math. There wasn’t a place Kathy went where she wasn’t greeted by her former students.

In addition to her passion for education, Kathy loved animals, and rescued and spoiled her “fur-babies” throughout her life. Her loving spirit and eternal smile will be greatly missed by all who knew and adored her.

Kathy is survived by her twin brothers, Glenwood Kornegay of Mount Pleasant, SC (and whose wife was the late Carol Kornegay), and Linwood Kornegay and wife Sheila of Cypress, TX; aunt, caregiver, and companion Rhonda Lochte of Wilmington, NC; three nieces and nephews, Krisha McCoy and husband, Kevin, of Mount Pleasant, SC, Jenny Speece and husband, Patrick Barrett, of Arlington, TX, and Matthew Kornegay and wife, Katie, of Cypress, TX; and loving great-nieces and nephews, cousins, extended family, and a host of long-time friends.

Funeral services will be held Friday, June 17, 2022, at 11 a.m. at Tyndall Funeral Home, officiated by Dr. Jim Everette of First Baptist Church of Wilmington, where Kathy was a member. The service will be followed by burial in Maplewood Cemetery, Mount Olive. Visitation with the family will be during the hour before the service. Memorial gifts may be made in Kathy’s name to Southport – Oak Island Animal Rescue (SOAR) 3376 St. Charles Place, Southport, NC 28461 (online donations are also accepted at soar-nc.org), or to Liberty Homecare and Hospice 420 Eastwood Road Suite 101, Wilmington, NC 28403.