Marie M. Kornegay

Annie Marie Minton Kornegay of Rocky Point, North Carolina, formerly of Seven Springs, North Carolina, born July 12, 1922, in Aulander, North Carolina to the late Annie Terry and Dewey J. Minton, peacefully met her Heavenly Father on August 29, 2010, at Autumn Care where she was a short-time resident. Beloved wife (Daddy’s rib), mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and aunt, Marie’s death, because of a benign brain tumor with complications, leaves her family and friends heartbroken.

Marie, Queen and the Big Cheese of her family was loved by all who knew her. She loved everybody she met and took every opportunity for the less fortunate under her wings. Her life revolved around her faith, family and friends.

Having been a full-time homemaker until her golden years, Marie spent her entire adult life being active in church. She was Woman of the Year of the ladies’ auxiliary at Daly’s Chapel Free Will Baptist Church, Seven Springs, North Carolina and often assisted in Vacation Bible School and fundraisers. Presently, she was an active member of Riley’s Creek Baptist Church prior to her recent illness. She enjoyed spending the summers camping at Blackbeard’s Campground in Surf City, North Carolina with her family and camper friends. She loved to salt-water fish and crab there, and fresh-water fish in the pond beside her home in Rocky Point. Nothing made her happier than catching a mess of fish and immediately have an outdoor fish fry. She enjoyed her beautiful flowers, gardening and preparing fresh vegetables. She was the best collard-greens cooker. She delighted in watching the World Series and her favorite team was the Atlanta Braves. She even had a Braves license tag on the family golf cart. Yard saling was an every week treat for her, and she was forever trying to make a deal on her purchases. Her collection of dolls is phenomenal and she cherished every doll she owned, and she was still buying dolls until her health declined.

Preceded in death by her second-born child, a baby son, David Lee Kornegay and several family members: sisters Estelle M. Terry and husband, Lester and Lillie M. Farmer and husband, Friday; half-sister, Betty Jones and half-brother, Bob Steele, all of Aulander, North Carolina; a son-in-law, Charles Eugene Yarborough, Jr.; parents-in-law, John and Ardolia Kornegay; brother-in-law, Lee Kornegay and James Hill; sister-in-law, Helen O. Kornegay; nephew-in-law, Kenny Hill; grandson, Jarrod Underhill and great-grandchild, Brittany Young.

Marie is survived by her soul-mate and loving husband of 67 years, Justin H. Kornegay; her daughters: Violet K. Yarborough-Tapia and husband, Jorge; Jo Ann K. Underhill and husband, John; Jane K. Groves and husband, W.C. Groves, all of Wilmington, North Carolina; her adored grandchildren: Gwen Y. Young, Candi Y. and Lee Alan Pierce, Johnny Underhill and Karen, Justin Underhill, Reverend Kevin Groves and Le Anne, Keith Groves and Jennifer; all of Wilmington; sisters-in-law, Julia K. Hill, Ann M. Kornegay, and Faye Kornegay; 12 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews, and great nieces and great nephews, and she loved her family greatly.

Mother mentioned “going home” many times since her Chapel Hill surgery because she really missed all her home treasures, especially being home with Daddy. Now we know her Heavenly Home is the one for which she and we were being prepared, and we will see her again when we all get to Heaven where we can sing and rejoice with her.

The family will receive friends at Coble Ward-Smith Chapel at 1:00 p.m., one hour to the funeral service at 2:00 p.m., on Wednesday, September 1,, 2010 at Coble Ward-Smith Funeral Home, with a graveside service to follow at Greenlawn Cemetery. The Reverend Jim Herchenhahn and the Reverend Brock Tharpe will be officiating pastors, both of Riley’s Creek Baptist Church, Rocky Point, North Carolina. Honorary pastors: Reverend Kevin Groves, Reverend Ronnie Parker, Reverend Bryce Rouse, Reverend Melvin Hall, Reverend Andy Ickes, and Reverend Jeff Nichols.