Johnnie Ray Kornegay Jr. was born in Pitt County, North Carolina on March 26, 1950 to the late Johnie Ray, Sr. and Emily Kornegay (Hardy). Kornegay, Jr. was a life-long resident of Chester, PA following his parents relocation there in 1952. He never forgot North Carolina, often spending summers there. He was a beloved member of the family who often stayed in close contact with his North Carolina family until his death.
One word to describe Kornegay Jr. is “talented.” He loved horror movies, and he had a knack for many things including auto and electronics repair and music. He was a member of the vocal group The Premonitions (George Banks, Frank Porter, Albert McDowell), and he penned the song “Baby, Baby,” released on Jade Records in the late-1960s.
He graduated from the Chester Upland School District in 1969, and he went to work for Scott Paper Company. He was subsequently drafted into the US Armed Forces, where he was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant. He worked for more than twenty years for Scott Paper Company as a Loader, and was a night supervisor at Walmart until his retirement.
He considered his marriage to Brenda Kornegay (Dallam), affectionately referred to as his “sugar babe,” as one of his great accomplishments. On April 5, 2021 the two celebrated their 46th wedding anniversary. His wife and sons provided care and support throughout his illness and subsequent death.
He never met anyone who he considered a stranger. You often met folks he interacted with who described him as “such a nice man.”
He leaves behind to cherish his memory: his wife: Brenda; his sons: Johnnie Ray, III and Edward; his mother: Emily; his sisters: Evone Gray (Curtis), Christine Murray (Phillip) and Janet Cockroft (Wayne); his brothers: Bruce Kornegay (Margie) and Douglas Kornegay (Stephanie) as well as a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles and friends. He is pre-deceased by his father Johnie Ray Kornegay, Sr. (1929-2007).
To My Darling Husband,
God gave you your wings, so you can fly. You blessed me with two good sons. You should know that I’m ok. I know that I’m happy you’re out of pain now, and I don’t know where life is going to lead me. If I could have told you “don’t leave” I would have, but I know you had to go. Just know that I will love you always.
Your Wife,
Brenda
Service will be private, please contact the family at kornegayparents@gmail.com
Service will be shown in FacebookLive on: https://www.facebook.com/LewisMHuntIrvingFuneralHome2316/
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