Murrell Brown Kornegay, 92, passed away Friday, Nov 27, 2020. She was born in Columbus, GA right before the beginning of the Great Depression. Her parents were Daisy Johnson Brown and Dewey Benjamin Brown. Daisy died when Murrell was only two years old. Her grandmother, Annie Lee Brown, helped raise Murrell and her brother, Willie. Anne Elizabeth Sheppard Home provided a place for Murrell between homes. Feeling frightened and alone, a roommate at the orphanage comforted her with this Bible verse where Jesus said, “ Lo, I will be with you always”. She turned to that verse throughout her journey. In her teens, she left her grandmother’s home, worked at Sears on Broad to support herself as she finished high school and became self
sufficient at a very early age.
She was a very independent and courageous woman that learned to adapt early in life to the challenges that met her head on. She graduated from Jordan High School in 1946. Employed by Archer Mill , Case worker for the Peach Program at the State of Georgia , keeping the books for James’ Distributing Company , retiring from Sears and the State of Georgia kept Murrell active and provided her many opportunities throughout her life.
Murrell married James Hubert Kornegay in 1946, and they had two daughters, Kaye and Jan. She shined at being a mother and homemaker! She was the very best! She and James lived in St. Petersburg, FL and Camilla, but always returning to Columbus, their home.
Murrell was an excellent seamstress and made all her clothes as well as her girls’ clothes, dolls, reupholstered and refinished furniture. She loved to work in her garden, read, travel and dance. Murrell was also known as the “Cat Lady” because she provided a ( yes - warm ) meal and home for many feral cats! She made sure they were neutered and/or spayed to help control the population and loved them all into being true pets!
She was a friend to all, and she made her home a place where family and friends were welcomed and wanted to gather. When asked how they would describe Murrell, her family responded with these words: strong, intelligent, headstrong and witty, fun, classy, caring, gracious, generous, independent, loving, loyal and a true Southern Lady. She was an awesome lady, mother and Mema! She had the ability to make you feel special! Murrell will leave a huge empty place here, but she will now enrich Heaven. She marked a quote to share: “Remember me with smiles and laughter, for that is how I will remember you all. If you can only remember me with tears, then don't remember me at all.”
Murrell was preceded in death by James H. Kornegay ( former husband), her parents, her brother Willie Brown, her sister Louse Kinsaul, sister Inez Johnson Coker and her granddaughter, Stefanie Kaye Posey. She is survived by her daughter, Kaye Kornegay Wilson; her daughter Jan Kornegay Dappen and husband Richard Dappen; Grandchildren: Kimberly Rainey Cullens and Howell; Beth Rainey Odom and Mark; Jessica Dappen Brandon and Adam; RJ Dappen and Katie; Great Grandchildren: Nash Cullens, Will Cullens, Jake Brandon, Josh Odom, Emma Brandon, Drew Brandon, Delaney Dappen, Hayley Dappen and Isabelle Dappen. She is also survived by many nephews, nieces, and grands.
Interment will be graveside for immediate family...Please wear a mask.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to one of the following in her name:
https://www.twincedars.org/program/anne-elizabeth-shepherd/
https://www.valleyrescuemission.org
https://curechildhoodcancer.org/
