By By Ida Brown/special sections editor
Jan. 20, 2002
Retired Meridian dentist Dr. Hobert Kornegay was a trailblazer in his own right, combining a private dental practice with community service.
A product of Meridian Public Schools, Kornegay is a graduate of Harris Senior High School. He completed undergraduate studies at Morehouse College in Atlanta, and earned his dental degree at Meharry Medical College in Nashville.
Significant experiences in Kornegay's area of concentration were provided by his military service in the United States Army Dental Corps in Munich, Germany. Additional study in preventive dentistry was completed at Walter Reed United States Army Institute of Dental Research. He was in private dental practice more than 52 years.
During his lifetime, Kornegay has garnered many honors, including: Meharry Medical College, "Outstanding Alumnus;" Mississippi Dental Association Society, Head Start Coordinating Council Service Award; Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church and St. Paul United Methodist Church, citizenship awards; and the NAACP Bennie Award "Candle in the Dark" Achievement Recognition.
His past and present memberships include serving as a former president of the Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors from District 4; Meridian Local/Mississippi State Dental Associations; American and National Dental Associations; the American Red Cross Board; Advisory Committee of Meridian Community College-School of Dental Hygiene; Salvation Army Board; Choctaw Area Council of Boy Scouts; 4-H Club Advisory Board; International Central Optimist Club Toastmasters; trustee of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church; and the staff of Riley Hospital.
Other activities include membership as a Mason, Shriner and Elk, listed in "Who's Who in South and Southwest Black America." Additional service groups include Selective Service System Chairman of Southern Judicial District Appeal Board, Advisory Board of the Mississippi Council on Aging, Human and Community Development Steering Committee of the National League of Cities, and the Western Area of Gideons, International. He also serves his fraternity, Theta Iota Chapter, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., having served as president.