July 6, 2023, 85, Mount Olive —

Mr. Clifford Bernice Kornegay,  known to all as simply C.B., passed away peacefully late Thursday afternoon, July 6, 2023, at his home.  He was 85 years old.

Mr. C. B. was a simple man with a simple philosophy:  work hard and pay your way.  An avid sports fan, he had enjoyed hunting in his younger days.  He had been employed with the N.C. Department of Highways in bridge maintenance in Duplin County, retiring after 37 years of faithful service.  He, then, became the community handyman, making himself available to do light carpentry for friends, neighbors, and family.  He was a member of the Stanford Presbyterian Church and was a lifelong Beautancus area resident.

Mr. Kornegay is survived by his wife, Margaret Jones Kornegay; three of his four children, Lewis Bernice “L.B.” Kornegay of Columbus, Ohio, Donna Stroud Rouse and husband, L. R. Rouse, of Mount Olive, and Rodney Stroud and wife, Laurie, of Maryland; five grandchildren, Melanie R. Smith and husband, Steven, Christopher Rouse, Heather R. Kelly and husband, Reid, Kelli Stroud, and Meghan Stroud; 14 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Thelma J. Mozingo of New Bern; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Jennifer Stroud; his parents, Bernice Kornegay and Myrtle Jernigan Kornegay; a brother, Donald C. Kornegay; and sisters, Sallie Gray K. Sidden and Mary Edna K. King.

A service in which to remember the life of Mr. C. B. Kornegay will be Sunday, July 9, at 7 p.m. at Tyndall Funeral Home in Mount Olive, and will be officiated by the Rev. Paul Rose.  Following the service, a time of visitation will take place.  Friends and family are also being received at the Kornegay residence.