Connor Wesley Rife 

June 27, 2014 

Connor Wesley Rife passed away Friday, June 27th, 2014 at Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte, NC, after a year-long fight with Leukemia. He was 15. Connor spent his entire life in Clemmons, NC. He attended the prestigious Hanes Magnet School participating in the STEM program (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) in Winston-Salem, before starting his freshman year at West Forsyth High School in Clemmons. He competed in the FIRST Lego League robotic program and was recognized for his achievements. Connor was a member of Boy Scout Troop 736 in Clemmons and rose to the rank of Star, a fierce AirSoft competitor and great athlete competing in soccer. Connor was honored with the opportunity to attend the Duke TIP program for advanced students for two consecutive years. Connor loved life and excelled at everything he attempted. Connor was excited to begin his life when he was born eleven weeks early on March 7, 1999 in Winston-Salem, NC. At age 7 Connor’s dreams came true when his little brother Coleman was born. Connor was the ultimate big brother, being a loving friend, protector, and teacher for Cole. As a credit to the values instilled in him by his parents, Pam and Mike, Connor was a joy to be around. He was easy with a laugh, confident in his abilities and always well behaved. Connor’s strong demeanor and personality allowed him to both quickly except reality of life but also fight for the outcomes he wanted. These traits supported him well during his year of cancer. Together with his family and the tremendous knowledge, energy and dedication of the doctors and nurses at both Brenner Children’s Hospital in Winston-Salem and Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte, Connor overcame a 65 day coma, pushed leukemia into remission three times and fought through a bone marrow transplant. Pam, Mike or Cole were by his side everyday during this last year enjoying as much of Connor as possible. We are proud of the fight for life that Connor exhibited and encouraged by the lessons learned by his doctors and nurses to impact the next child with this type of leukemia. Connor Wesley Rife is survived by his mother Pamela Cope Rife of Winston-Salem, his father Michael Charles Rife of Clemmons and his beloved little brother Coleman C. Rife. Also surviving are his great grandmother Margaret (Pud) Burks of Roanoke, VA, his grandparents Charles Jr. & Jean Rife of Roanoke, VA, his uncle Victor P. Cope and his wife Lori Little Cope, his cousins Paul V. Cope and Lauren L. Cope of Charlotte, NC, and his uncle Phillip V. Cope. A funeral service to celebrate the life of Connor Wesley Rife will be held at 4:00 p.m. Wednesday July 9th 2014 at Hayworth-Miller Funeral Home – 3315 Silas Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem, NC 27103, 336-765-8181. The service will be immediately followed by a viewing and visitation at the same location. A Repass will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the lobby of the Nissen Building at 310 West 4th St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society – NC Chapter – Charlotte, 4530 Park Road Suite 240, Charlotte, NC 28209, 704-705-1850. Connor was truly an over comer and will be missed by many. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.