Rufus Brady Osborne, September 15, 1929 – November 19, 2023
Mary Jane Kornegay Osborne, March 20, 1931 – October 23, 2023
Mary Jane Kornegay Osborne passed away on October 23, 2023, after 92 beautiful years on this earth, with her husband, Rufus Brady Osborne, by her side. November 6 would have been their 69th wedding anniversary. Brady joined her just 27 days later on November 19, at 94 years young. Both died peacefully at home surrounded by family and loving caregivers at Canterbury Court in Atlanta.
Mary Jane was born on March 20, 1931, in Greensboro, NC, to the late Marvin Earl Kornegay and Blanche Robinson Kornegay. She graduated from Greensboro High School and studied music and voice at Brevard College. Mary Jane aka Mama was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother for whom family was the center of life. She showed her love through cooking and baking, loved music, and never missed a birthday for any family members or friends. Mary Jane was preceded in death by her brothers, The Honorable Horace Robinson “Dag” Kornegay and Marvin Loftin “Pat” Kornegay, and her sister, Sarah “Sis” Kornegay Hunt. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Chachi Kornegay, of Pleasant Garden, NC.
Brady was born on September 15, 1929, in Winston-Salem, NC, to the late Maggie Prevette Osborne and Rufus Charles Osborne, as the fourth of seven children in the family. Both parents worked for Chatham Manufacturing Company, which relocated its plant to Elkin, NC, in 1939, causing the family to move to Elkin. Brady graduated from Elkin High School and attended Davidson College on a football scholarship, where he lettered in football as well as basketball and baseball. Brady aka Papa was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, lifelong athlete, sports fan, and avid golfer with a sense of humor that endured until the very end. His brothers, Charles Brandon, Alfred Reece, and Ray Claiborne “R.C.,” and sisters, Gladys Flowers, Grace Walls, and Gerty Mae Finney, preceded him in death. He is survived by three sisters-in-law, Mary Thom Osborne, June Osborne, and Gerry Osborne.
Mary Jane and Brady met in Greensboro when Mary Jane was working for the Guilford Merchants Association and Brady transferred there from Charlotte as a local manager with The Kirby Company. They were married at Muir’s Chapel Methodist Church on November 6, 1954, and later became founding members of Christ United Methodist Church. They welcomed their five children in Greensboro and lived there until 1977, when they relocated to Boca Raton, FL, for Brady to join his brother, R.C., in business. They lived and enjoyed life in Boca for 38 years. Brady and Mary Jane were members of Royal Palm Yacht and Country Club, where Brady served as commodore in 1992. When it was time to move into assisted living, Brady and Mary Jane relocated to Atlanta in 2015 to be near their youngest grandchildren and oldest great-grandchildren. There they became members of Peachtree Road United Methodist Church and the Timothy Class.
Mary Jane and Brady are survived by their five devoted children: Blanche Meskimen, of Atlanta; Rufus Brady “Brad” Osborne, Jr. (Beth), of Boca Raton, FL; Jane Eager (Jon), of Westlake, OH; Trish Marshall (Steve), of Denton, TX; and Chuck Osborne (Frost), of Atlanta; their 12 grandchildren: Crystal Osborne, Ivan Meskimen (Amy), Katharine Osborne Mawhinney (Brian), Maggie Osborne Schroeder (Matt), Rufus Brady Osborne III (Rachael), Scott Eager, Joe Eager, Janey Eager, Lloyd Marshall (Emma), Alexandra Marshall Ferguson (CJ), Charlie Osborne, and Mary Frost Osborne; 15 great-grandchildren: Ashlynn, Abigail, Delainy, Ryleigh, Quinn, Grady, Reese, Jude, Lilly, Felista, Patrick, Otto, Micah, Kay, and Josephine; and many nieces, nephews, in-laws, relatives, and friends.
A private celebration of life for Brady and Mary Jane will be held in Boca Raton, FL, in February. Entombment will follow at the Boca Raton Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be sent in honor of Mr. & Mrs. R. Brady Osborne to Atlanta Classical Academy or North Cobb Christian School, in Atlanta.