Mr. Corpening was born April 16, 1947 in Caldwell County to the late Charles Corpening and Ruby Dula Corpening.
In addition to his parents, two brothers, Edward Charles Corpening, and Humphrey Jerome Corpening preceded him in death.
Mr. Corpening was a loving and dedicated husband, father and grandfather who cherished the time he spent with his family. Mr. Corpening took over in the family business that was started by his father, Venoi Corpening Hardwood Flooring. Venoi was a member of Faith Tabernacle Church in Whitnel. Venoi was one of the first African American officers to serve on the Lenoir Police Department and he also served on the Caldwell County Sheriff Department. Mr. Corpening had the honor of serving as a bodyguard for Civil Rights Activist, Dr. Ralph Abernathy when he visited Lenoir. He was also was given the honor of serving as a bodyguard for President Ronald Reagan during his presidential campaign when he visited Morganton. He was a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corps and served in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. He was honored to receive a Good Conduct Medal and a National Defense Service Medal.
Those left to Cherish his memory include his wife, Gloria Diane Corpening of the home, two sons, Kareem Corpening and wife Angela of Everett Washington, Jovante Marcellino of Lenoir, daughter, Stephanie Benson of Duvall, Washington, brother, James Corpening of Lenoir, sister, Natalie Johnson and husband Ronald of Lenoir, two aunts, Betty Boston of Winston Salem and Annie Margaret Corpening of New York.
Also left to cherish his memory are five grandchildren, Kathleen Corpening, Merrick Corpening, Kainaan Corpening, Daryl Benson, Steven Benson, Jakaden Marcellino and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family members.
A home-going service to honor Mr. Corpening will be held on Monday, August 31, 2020 at 2:00 pm in the chapel of Pendry’s Lenoir Funeral Home with Pastor Rocky Dula officiating. Burial will follow the service at Dulatown Cemetery in Lenoir.
Military Honors will be provided by the United States Marine Corps and the Caldwell County Veterans Honor Guard.
The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service, from 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm at Pendry’s Lenoir Funeral Home.
Serving as pallbearers will be Jerron Johnson, Merrick Corpening, Kainaan Corpening, Steven Benson, Tyler Johnson, Jovante Marcellano and an honorary pallbearer, Damon Corpening.
Words of comfort may be expressed to the family at www.pendrysfuneralhome.com.
Pendry’s Lenoir Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Steven Venoi Corpening.
