Dorothy Miller Sirmon (Kornegay) Frangioni was born to Edna M. Miller Sirmon and Joel G. Sirmon in Belforest, Alabama, on Feb. 28, 1924. She passed away at age 95 on Oct. 25, 2019, due to complications of heart and respiratory issues.
She was preceded in death by first husband, Milton E. Kornegay; oldest son, James M. Kornegay; second husband, Ralph K. "Tony" Frangioni Sr.; sisters, L. Georgene Sirmon and C. Joyce Sirmon; and brother, Joel G. Sirmon.
She is survived by sons, Donald F. Kornegay (Susan) and Dennis M. Kornegay (Betsey); daughters, Marian K. McBryde and Karen K. Lusk (Kevin); stepson, Ralph K. Frangioni Jr. (Marie); stepdaughter, Kay Frangioni Pierce (Gerald); sisters, Amanda L. Baker (Malcolm) and Carolyn M. Courduff (William); brother-in-law, Omer R. Foley; sister-in-law, Shirley A. Sirmon; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Dorothy grew up on what is now known as Sirmon Farms (sirmonfarms.com) in the Belforest community of Daphne Alabama. The oldest of five girls and one boy, her Southern beauty and charm led her to be selected as the Baldwin County Harvest Queen while she was in high school.
After completing high school and business college, she worked at Brookley Field in Mobile, Alabama as a clerk/typist.
She met Milton Kornegay at the wedding of mutual friends, and she and Milton were married on July 22, 1943. She transferred to Eglin Field where Milton was stationed near Valparaiso Florida, and worked there until they began their family.
Her extensive career as a homemaker for five children throughout six states was highlighted with superb skills as a seamstress, culinary artist, and demanding hairdresser/barber.
However, it was her musical talents that filled the home with even more joy as she played the piano or organ regularly - each session ending with a polka for all to dance to!
After Milton passed in 1980, she returned to the workforce as a PBX operator at the hospital in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. While working there, she met "Tony" Frangioni, and the two eventually married on March 11, 1989. She was now the matriarch of an extended family that included two more children, plus a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Her homemaker skills only expanded, even adding Italian cuisine to her culinary repertoire.
Dorothy was always willing to volunteer her talents, especially if it meant supporting her children. One shining example of this is her time spent with the Girl Scouts. She began with Brownies, and this earned her the nickname "Brownie Leader," which Milton continued to call her up until his death.
Perhaps the greatest legacy Dorothy leaves to her children to model is her love for the Lord. She shared her faith in many ways, just as it was modeled for her by her parents and grandparents. She shared her talents as a Vacation Bible School teacher, Sunday School teacher, and Acolyte Coordinator.
She taught her children to pray before meals and at bedtime, and made sure they were dressed just right for Sunday School and church.
As a homemaker, Dorothy was never satisfied to sit at home. She was a member of First United Methodist Church of Fort Walton Beach for decades as well as a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and was active in the Choctawhatchee Bay Chapter.
One of her greatest joys was working with the Cooperative Extension Service of Okaloosa County which provides educational programs in the areas of agriculture, 4-H, family and consumer sciences, horticulture and marine science.
The family of Dorothy Frangioni extend their sincere appreciation to the wonderful health care providers at White-Wilson Medical Clinic, Magnolia Medical Clinic, Fort Walton Beach Medical Center, Shoal Creek Rehabilitation Center, and North Okaloosa Medical Center for the excellent and compassionate care provided to her over the years and especially in her last weeks.
A celebration of Dorothy's life will be held on Friday, Nov. 1, 2019 at First United Methodist Church, 103 First Street SE, Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Gathering will begin at 1 p.m. and the service will be held at 2 p.m.
A reception will follow at the church with graveside services to be held at a later date.
If desired, donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Florida Methodist Children's Home (fumch.org).
Arrangements entrusted to Emerald Coast Funeral Home, and online condolences may be viewed and placed at www.emeraldcoastfuneralhome.com.
