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Robert Franklin Bell

Mr. Robert Franklin Bell, 85, of Lewisville, passed away Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019, at Forsyth Medical Center. He was born Dec. 13, 1934, in Forsyth County to the late Orangie Desco and Edna Church Bell. Robert was a veteran who served in the U.S. Air Force. He was a member of Central Tabernacle and retired from AT&T. Surviving are his wife of 58 years, Margaret Bell; a son, Tony Bell (Melanie); four grandchildren: Matthew, Mallory, Mitchell, and Morgan; a sister, Margaret Boles and one brother, Donald Bell. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19, 2019, at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel officiated by Rev. Sandra Bovender. Interment will follow at Westlawn Gardens of Memory. The family received friends from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2019, at the funeral home.

Jerry Vance Jones

Jerry Vance Jones, age 73, of Lewisville, departed this life to rest in the arms of a loving Savior on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019. He was born on June 12, 1946, in Forsyth County to Vance and Lillian Jones, and was educated at Southwest Forsyth High School, Brevard College School of Music and High Point University. Jones was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Roy E. Jones, leaving no other immediate family members. As a musician, he humbly served Clemmons Moravian Church as music director/organist and worked as a loyal salesman No. 24 for a men’s clothing store. Facing great odds, he served both careers for 34 years with integrity, probity and reliability. He also served the congregations of Shilo Lutheran, Hopewell Moravian and Friedberg Moravian in their music ministries. Jones’ music career began at age 8, and his first job at age 14 was playing the organ for Jesse G. Bowen Music Co. at the local Ernie Shore Field baseball games. In September 2004, he was awarded The James V. Salzwedel Award of excellence in church music by the Moravian Music Foundation and Clemmons Moravian Church. Survived by countless personal friends and many wonderful business associates/customers throughout the Triad, Jones also leave behind numerous gratifying friendships made though the Southern Province of the Moravian Church. To all who cared, loved and honored him with your encouragement, prayers and esteem, thank you. You were loved and treasured, and he will be waiting to greet you in a much better place. Be sure to “keep your fork! The best is yet to come!”

A Moravian hymn

Servant of God, well done! Rest from your earthly employ; The battle fought, the victory won, enter now to Thy Master’s joy. The pains of life are past; labor and sorrow cease; and life’s long warfare closed at last; thy soul is found at peace. Now toil and conflict o’er, I take with the saints my place; but going as each has gone before, just a sinner saved by grace. Soldier of Christ, well done! Praise be thy new employ, and while eternal ages run, rest in my Savior’s joy.

The mental stress and the physical pains of my final years have exceeded all my resources. To the ignoble who have judged me unworthy of life on this earth, I pray that our Lord and Savior will forgive you your sins of bigotry, hate and ignorance. The constant opportunity to be threatened, humiliated, and to live in fear is a unique right that our culture bestows upon a few. Probing into other people’s personal lives, tech-stalking, and repeating scandalous allegations (whether true or false) for the purpose of charming yourself into seeming knowledgeable, is nothing more than indecent, disrespectful, “verbal tabloid” against all mankind. At my request, my body will be cremated. There will be no visitation, and no memorial service. Memorial gifts may be made to Clemmons Moravian Church Organ Fund, P.O. Box 730, Clemmons, N.C., 27012. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com .

Hugh Morris McKnight, Sr.

Devoted and much-adored father Hugh Morris McKnight, Sr. passed away Sunday Dec. 8, 2019. He was born July 9, 1935, in Forsyth County to Ernest and Lona McKnight. He graduated from James A. Gray High School in 1953 and N.C. State University in 1959 with a B.S. in electrical engineering with honors. He completed his master’s degree in material science from Lehigh University in 1967 and retired from Lucent Technologies Inc. in 1996. Mr. McKnight was a member of Lewisville Baptist Church and enjoyed golf, running, beach trips and spending time with his family. Preceding him in death were his wife Naydean, his parents, and his sister Lona McKnight Henderson. Surviving are his sister Mary Ruth McKnight Fox, his brothers Ernest P. McKnight (Rose) and Thomas G. McKnight (Kay); his children Morris McKnight (Ella), Monica (Michael) Graves, Michael McKnight (Danielle), and Michelle (Brian) Fisher; seven grandchildren, Kendra (Jerry) Plemmons, Ashlyn (Jay) Perkins, Matt Moorefield (Danielle), Andrew Moorefield (Caitie), Luke Moorefield, Drake Fisher, and Brandon Lyon; 12 great-grandchildren Jada Plemmons, Titus Plemmons, Xia Plemmons, Elias Plemmons, Judah Plemmons, JJ Perkins, Clifton Perkins, Winslow Perkins, Marissa Moorefield, Phoenix Moorefield, Aspen Moorefield, Weston Moorefield; and many beloved nieces and nephews. The family received friends from 12:30-2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14, before the funeral service. The funeral service was held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14, at Hayworth-Miller Lewisville Chapel in Lewisville with Mr. Jay Perkins officiating. Burial followed at Lewisville Baptist Church Cemetery. Flowers can be sent to Hayworth-Miller. If you wish to make a memorial donation, the charity of choice is the Dementia Society of America at P.O. Box 600 Doylestown, PA 18901.

James Curtis Mullican

Mr. James Curtis Mullican, 88, of Little Rock, Arkansas, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019. He was born in Forsyth County on May 14, 1931, to the late James Johnson Mullican, Jr. and Stella Reich Mullican.

James was a graduate of Lewisville High School and was a proud veteran whom served his country in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict. He was a dedicated employee of NASA and was part of the space program from 1957-1973. During his time at NASA, he was one of many that helped put a man on the moon on July 20, 1969. In 1989, James retired from Alabama Power as mechanical supervisor. He was a good husband, father, and friend to all who left a positive impact in this world and was respected and loved by family and friends. In addition to his mother, James is preceded in death by his wife, Betty J. Mullican. Left to cherish his memory is his son, James Brian Mullican. A funeral service will be held in his honor at a later date at the Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Milledgeville, Georgia.