Mary Bell Kornegay

“Maybelle and Boot”, as she was affectionately called, was born on July 6, 1943 in Mount Olive, NC to Ruth Adell and Laban Isaiah Kornegay. She grew up in Mt. Olive and after graduation from Carver High School, she attended Fayetteville State University in Fayetteville, NC where she earned a BA Degree. After working in Goldsboro, NC as an elementary school teacher for 4 years, Mary moved to North Highlands, CA in 1972 and was employed by Howe Avenue Elementary School. In 1974, she was employed as a Training Specialist at McClellan AFB where she retired in 1997 due to the closing of the base. She was rehired by McClellan AFB in 1998 to assist with the base shutdown and retired again in 2002. She then, accepted part-time employment as a Paraprofessional with the Twin Rivers School District and retired again in 2009.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, her oldest brother Delano, her oldest sister Blondell, and a niece, Collette Parks.

Cherished memories will linger in the heart of her son, Kevin Anthony Kornegay and wife Destiny Joy of Hercules, CA; their three sons, Davon Ontario, Zacharia Levell and Josiah Anthony ; one sister, Patricia Pearsall and brother-in-law Lemuel E. Pearsall of Woodbridge, VA; one brother, Nevel Norris Kornegay and wife Sharramaine of North Highlands, CA; a sister-in-law, Winnie Kornegay of Silver Spring, MD; nephews Ralph D. Parks and wife Belinda of La Plata, Maryland; Norris Kornegay, Jr. of New Bern, NC; Lemuel E. Pearsall of Fort Benning GA ;Delano Laban Kornegay, Jr. and wife Ebony of Richmond, VA; Ricky L. Parks of Sacramento, CA; nieces Anita Maria William and husband Charles of Lakeland, FL; Benita Kornegay-Henry and husband Reginald of Silver Spring, MD; Pamela Lowry and husband Dennis of Charlotte, NC; Alicia Thomas and husband Allan of Temple Hills, MD, and Annette Royster and husband Bernard of Stem, NC; Rachel Smith of North Highlands, CA ; a host of other relatives and friends.

God Blessed Mary and Kept Her In His Care

There are many things in life

That we cannot understand,

But we must trust God’s judgment

And be guided by His hand.

Mary had God’s blessings

And rests safely in His Care

For God promises “safe passage”

On the “Wings of Faith” and Prayer.

The family wishes to extend its sincere thanks and love for all the kind expressions of sympathy. May God richly bless each of you.