January 17, 2026, 89, Goldsboro – Kenneth Jinnette, 89, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, January 17, 2026. Kenneth was born September 21, 1936 in Wayne County to the late Archie and Maggie Deaver Jinnette.
As a young man, Kenneth worked with his father in the family business, Jinnette Woodworks. Later in his life he was employed with McBride & Herring where he earned the reputation of a master boat motor repairman. In the early 1980’s Kenneth moved to the Lake Norman area of North Carolina where he was part owner of Skipper Boat and Motors. Later he was employed with Country Corner Marina until his retirement. Kenneth was a faithful member of Providence Road Baptist Church in Maiden, NC.
In addition to his parents, Kenneth was preceded in death by his wife, JoAnn Cashwell Jinnette, who passed on August 23, 2025; his sisters, Edna Mae Talton and Betty Strickland; his brothers, Jimmy Jinnette and N. J. Jinnette and his step-son, Daniel Streat Freeman.
The family will receive friends from 2:00 until 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 22, 2026 at Seymour Funeral Home. A graveside service will follow at 3:30 p.m. in Pikeville Cemetery, with Rev. Freddie Gooding officiating.
Kenneth is survived by his daughters, Debbie Brake and husband Terry, and Phyllis Smith and husband Mike; grandchildren, Adam Brake and wife Jessica, Miranda Pate and husband Christian, and Hunter Smith and wife Patricia; great-grandchildren, Cason Pate, Addison Smith, and Miller Rae Pate; sister, Rose Whitfield and husband Elton; step-son, Carl Freeman, Jr. and wife Barbara; step-grandson, Daniel Scott Freeman and wife Alaura; and step-great-grandson, Austin Jonathan Freeman.
The family will be at the home of Terry and Debbie Brake, 102 Wesley Dr., Goldsboro, NC.
