James Luman Kornegay Jr.

James Luman Kornegay, Jr, 92 passed away May 24, 2016 in his Chelsea, AL home. A reception will be held on June 3, 2016 in the Rotunda at the American Village on Hwy 119 between Alabaster and Montevallo from 11 a.m. til 1 p.m which will serve as an opportunity to visit with the Kornegay family. Graveside services will be held at the Alabama National Cemetery one mile south on 119 with Rev. Troy Tatum officiating, Rockco Funeral Home (Montevallo) directing. Immediately after Pearl Harbor, Kornegay enlisted into the U.S. Navy and after graduating Bibb County High School in 1942 entered the submarine service serving on the USS Tuna in the South Pacific during WWII. After graduating the University of Alabama in 1950, where he also later received his Master’s degree and AA certificate, he took his first education position as a teacher and coach at Coffeeville High School. His 1955 football team was undefeated and untied and declared state champion by the Birmingham Post Herald. He was principal at CHS, 1956-64. As principal he received national recognition as an education innovator for teaching geometry and Spanish to early elementary students. He was a 60 year member of the Coffeeville Masonic Lodge. In 1964 returned to his home roots in Centreville where he was principal of Bibb County High School for 7 years, then served two terms as Superintendent of Education. His most significant accomplishment as Superintendent was the construction of the BIbb County Area Vocational School. Following retirement in 1979 he lived in Millbrook, AL for over 30 years before moving to Chelsea, AL where he resided for six years. Kornegay served on the USS Alabama Battleship Commission for 21 years, two terms as chairman. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Sara P. Kornegay of Chelsea; two sons, Dr. Randy Kornegay (Barbara recently deceased) of Montgomery, and Dr. Kim Kornegay (Mona) of Prattville; two daughters, Virginia Dean (Mike) of Alpharetta, GA, and Toni Vaughn (Roe) of Chelsea; 10 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; brother, Floyd (Ruth) of Atlanta, GA; sister, Shirley Tucker of Jasper, AL; nieces and nephews and an extended family of thousands of former students and teachers. Pallbearers are sons in law Mike Dean of Alpharetta, GA and Roe Vaughn of Chelsea; nephews Jimmy Hubbard of Haysop, Mike Hubbard of Haysop, and Jeff Hubbard of Tuscaloosa and Donnie McCalla of Centreville. Honorary pallbearers are the members of the 1950-56 Coffeeville Panthers football and basketball teams. Special thank yous to caregivers, Denise Thomas and Gentiva Hospice and Home Health. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bibb County Board of Education in memory of J. Luman Kornegay, Jr and sent to the Bibb County Board of Education, Att Bibb County Career Academy in memory of J. Luman Kornegay, Jr, 721 Walnut St, Centreville, AL 35042. Funds will be directed to the Livestock/Pavilion/Outdoor Classroom project at the Career Academy formerly known as the vocational school.