Obituaries — Nov. 7

Published 12:00 am Thursday, November 7, 2019

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Lorraine Lee Fahnestock Sanders

Lorraine Lee Fahnestock Sanders, 92, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2019, at Carillon Assisted Living in Clemmons.

Lorraine was born on June 20, 1927, in Winchester, Virginia, to the late Kendall C. Fahnestock and Beatrice Lee Fahnestock. She graduated from John Handley High School in Winchester and went on to attend the Bible Institute of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, where she met her husband Ken. They were married on June 16, 1951, and raised four children together. The couple lived for a while in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, until Ken’s career brought them to North Carolina where they eventually settled.

Lorraine was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Winston-Salem and was active for many years in the children and library ministries.

She enjoyed flowers and was known for her delicious canned apple butter and homemade pickles. Lorraine loved her pets and was a lifelong animal lover.

In addition to her parents, Lorraine was preceded in death by her aunt and uncle.

Surviving family includes her husband of over 68 years, Ken A. Sanders; four children, Karen S. Heaps, Sharon S. Mannion (Brian), Mark Sanders (Dawn), and Vicki S. Fields; seven grandchildren, Melissa Mannion (Brent), K. Daniel Fields, Cara Mannion, Kristen Troutman (Matt), Brandon Heaps, Joshua Fields (Quin) and Michelle Sanders; four great-grandchildren, Noah, Evelyn, Killian and Madison; and one cousin, Topper Fahnestock.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to all those who helped care for Lorraine throughout her journey at home, those in Garden Place at Carillon of Clemmons, as well as Mountain Valley Hospice.

Funeral services and interment have been completed, however, online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com .

Dreama Earlee Graham Shirley

Ms. Dreama Earlee Graham Shirley, 84, passed away on Monday, Oct. 28, 2019, at Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home in Winston-Salem.

She was born on April 1, 1935, in Roanoke, Virginia, to Roy M. and E. Lucille Graham. She graduated from George Washington High School in Alexandria, Virginia, in 1953 and completed additional courses at a local college.

Dreama started her career in military claims at the U.S. Army Military District of Washington. She worked at Fort Belvoir Army base as a claims officer for over 20 years, managing the claims for that base and 12 surrounding counties. She left Fort Belvoir in 1983 to take the position as head of the U.S. Marine Corps World-Wide Claims Program. She worked at the Marine Corps Headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, for 10 years. In 1993, the commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps conducted a retirement for with honors in formal military attire. Shortly after her retirement, Dreama moved to Myrtle Beach, S.C. She resumed working on a part-time for an additional nine years as a community relations representative contracted by the U.S. Air Force working on the Environmental Cleanup Team at the former Myrtle Beach Air Force base.

Dreama had an unending passion for people, especially her children and grandchildren. She loved being a mother and grandmother and was an integral part of her grandchildren’s lives and activities. Her family was the most rewarding part of her life and was her greatest pleasure. The United Methodist Church was always prominent part of her life. She was active in church groups through the years. She like to travel, write (for herself) and enjoyed spending time on the beach. During her post retirement years, Dreama did volunteer work with the Horry County Literacy Council, mentored fourth- through eighth-grade students with reading. Dreama had such a positive outlook on life. She felt on a world-wide view, that although there have been many changes in politics and government, but the one constant is our love of freedom.

Dreama is survived by five children: son Jack Shirley (Deborah) of Beverly, Massachusetts; and daughters Janice Pettey (Bob) of Woodbridge, Virginia; Sandra Anderson of Marietta, Georgia; Kim Clements (John) and Kris Shirley-Endean (Craig) of Clemmons.  Grandchildren: Angie, Lee, Jen, Liz, Mary, Graham, Will and Carly. She had several great-grandchildren and great-great-children.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Roy Mitchell Graham and Elsie Lucille Miles Graham, her sister Patria Mae Graham Hines and adored grandparents Harrison Spencer Miles and Lena Rivers Dillman Miles. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home, 101 Hospice Ln, Winston-Salem, N.C., 27103. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com .

Rose Ethel Benziger Williams

Rose Ethel Benziger Williams, 94, passed away on Oct. 29, 2019. Rose was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, on April 29, 1925, to John and Rose Benziger. Her father was crew leader lineman for Knoxville Power. Her mother was a business woman, managing a coal mine and a music company.

Early in her childhood, the Depression caused their family to seek a new life style, living in the country. Her father used his carpentry skills to convert a large farm shelter into a home. Friendly neighboring farmers taught them how to raise chickens, milk a cow, make molasses from sugar cane, etc. Rose had many happy memories of these times.

When they did return to the city, they found a house large enough to generate income, by renting out extra rooms. Young Rose took care of washing and ironing linen for the guests. Some of these renters were working with the secret wartime effort at Oak Ridge, where housing was in short supply.

In school, Rose was a math whiz, and classmates came to her for help. At the University of Tennessee., she earned her degree in business administration, and became the secretary to the campus registrar.

Through one of her friends, she met John, also a student at U.T. He had wanted to date her before he shipped out to war. They talked for hours on that first date, and fell in love. He became a platoon commander with Company F of the 354th Infantry Division in Germany. Rose loved receiving the many letters he sent her. She took pleasure in sewing her own beautiful wedding gown on a treadle sewing machine, while she awaited his return.

During the early years, they lived in Memphis, Manhattan and Charlotte, while growing their family. They later moved to Long Island. Her husband taught high school mathematics five days a week, then drove to his nighttime college teaching job those same days. Meanwhile, he was also pursuing his doctorate at Columbia University. Rose helped him by “holding down the fort” for those 10 years. They loved their large family, and she knew ways to keep things running smoothly at home in his absence.

He completed his doctorate in 1966, and moved the family to Boone. For many decades, she enjoyed being an A.S.U. math faculty wife. She was also a talented seamstress, finance manager, housekeeper, decorator, disciplinarian and encourager for the children.  Everyone will really miss her upbeat personality and how she loved to talk with people.

In 2015, Rose entered Trinity Elms Assisted Living in Clemmons. She told people often how much she enjoyed the friends, activities and food.

Children born to John and Rose were Rebecca Ibele (Charles), Dr. Margaret Golden (Steve, deceased), Joseph Williams (deceased), Dr. John Williams (Dr. Joanie), and Susan Baumgardner (Mark).

Grandchildren are Dr. Anna Ibele, Alan Ibele, Dr. Michael Ibele, Bobby Sass, Tammy Sass, Jacob Williams, Courtney Williams, Kimberly Baumgardner, and Karen Lewis. Great-grandchildren are Katie and Davin, Billy and Ella, Calvin, Trenton, and Daniel, and their cousin, Mazie.

Funeral services for Rose Williams will be conducted Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, at 11 a.m. at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel in Boone. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service from 10-11 a.m.

Memorial donations may be made to Trinity Elms Assisted Living in Clemmons, 3750 Harper Road, Clemmons, N.C., 27012, or to Kate B. Reynolds Trellis Care, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, N.C., 27103.

Online condolences may be shared with the Williams family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com .

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Williams family.

Thomas Clayton Wright

Mr. Thomas Clayton Wright, 87, passed away Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019 at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home. He was born in Forsyth County on April 6, 1932, to the late Lynnie and Emma Painter Wright. Mr. Wright graduated from Lewisville High School in 1953 and was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He retired from R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. as a machinist with 30 years of service. He was a member of Brookstown United Methodist Church and the Rust & Dust Club. Mr. Wright enjoyed singing in the senior choir of Yadkinville and playing in the Olivet Moravian Church Band. He had a huge servant’s heart and was always willing to help anyone.  Preceding him in death was his wife, Barbara “Bobbie” Jean Brewer Wright. Surviving are a daughter, Debbie Eldridge (Lee) of Pfafftown; daughter, Vicky Wright Miller (Mark) of Pfafftown; son, David Wright (Angie) of Hickory; six grandchildren, Stephanie Eldridge Karadzhov, Jean Eldridge, Clayton Miller, Madalyn Miller, Jessie Wright, and Monica Wright; one great-grandchild, Zoey Eldridge. A celebration of life service was held at 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, 2019, at Brookstown United Methodist Church with Rev. James T. “Chip” Webb officiating. An inurnment service followed at the church columbarium. The family received friends from 2-3 p.m. prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.