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Ann Kinsolving Talley Berry Hardee

Mrs. Ann Kinsolving Talley Berry Hardee, 86, known as “Mama” by her children, and “Maw” by her grandchildren, departed her loving family for her heavenly home on Feb. 25, 2021, at Mallard Ridge Assisted Living in Clemmons, where she was a longtime resident.

Hardee was born in Abingdon, Virginia, on Feb. 6, 1935, to Thomas Edison Talley and Bertha Kinsolving Talley. She was the second of four children born into a home of love and laughter. After graduating from high school, she attended Virginia Intermont College where she received a teaching degree. She returned to her close-knit community and began teaching elementary school. When her high school sweetheart and first love, John Charles Berry, returned from his military duties, they were married June 20, 1956. Together, they felt a call to some type of Christian ministry and soon they set out for training at Piedmont Bible College in Winston-Salem. Time spent at PBC challenged them and refined their desire to serve God with all their heart. This began a life-long pursuit of sharing God in whatever ministry he placed in their path. For many years, they worked in churches, Christian schools, and Christian colleges, teaching young adults, and leading many little ones to know the God they served in an intimate and personal way. While John served in ministry outside the home, Ann became a fantastic cook, able to turn simple ingredients into delectable meals. She delighted in sewing, homemaking, writing, singing, playing accordion and piano, teaching Sunday school and loving her family. She often said  that all she ever wanted to be was a wife, mother and homemaker.

When John Charles passed away in 2002, Ann was sure she would spend life alone and never remarry. She devoted her time to continuing to cherish her grandchildren and many hours were spent teaching them to sew, cook, play musical instruments and sing, swim and generally enjoy life.

To her delight, a wonderful man named George Hardee came into her life and they were married in 2006. Together, “Papa” George and Ann ministered to so many in their church and community by acts of service. Each had a such a giving heart. Ann made meals for shut-ins that she and George would deliver along with hundreds of loaves of her famous banana bread.

Hardee loved life, loved her family, loved the Lord, and desired for all people to know him. If she had to sacrifice for that to be a reality, it was not too difficult a task.

She is survived by children Merri Berry Holmes (Rev. John); Donna Berry Padon (Marvin); John “Will” Berry; Joseph Berry (Stacey); Thomas Berry (Christie); daughter-in-law, Donna Blankenship Berry. Along with her children, 11 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren carry on her legacy of love.

Surviving also are her cherished siblings: Donna Talley Garrett, Carol Talley Clifton, Thomas Talley (Julianne); her brothers and sisters by marriage, Yvonne Berry Brown (Preston); Dr. James Berry (Elizabeth); stepchildren Gerry Hardee (Phoebe), Kevin Hardee (Joy), LeAnna Hardee Stephenson (Jay), and each of their children and grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband and first love, Rev. John Charles Berry; and second dearly loved husband, George William Hardee.

The family would like to thank all the nurses and caregivers at Mallard Ridge Assisted Living, who cared for Hardee over the years.

Memorials may be made to: The Gideons Intl. Bible ministry, Marshall Baptist Church missions fund and Union Grove Baptist Church missions fund.

Ernest Kiger

Mr. Ernest Kiger, 93, passed away Saturday, March 6, 2021, at Commonwealth Senior Living in Williamsburg, Virginia. He was born Aug. 4, 1927, in Forsyth County to the late Ernest William Kiger and Mary Covington Kiger. He was a former member of Clemmons Presbyterian Church and retired from R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. Surviving are his two sons, Mark Kiger (Leslie) of St. Simons Island, Georgia, and Scott Kiger (Tammy) of Toano, Virginia; two grandchildren, Dana and Ally Kiger; also surviving is his sister, Shirley Hough, of Elizabethtown. Due to COVID-19 concerns, a memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Clemmons Presbyterian Church, 3930 Clemmons Road, Clemmons, NC 27012. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.

Charles Richard Ross

Charles Richard Ross, 75, passed away at Forsyth Medical Center on March 5, 2021. Ross was born on June 25, 1944, to Charles Irwin Ross and Mary Elizabeth Snellgrove Ross in Cumberland County. A gifted businessman, Ross got his start at Sears where he worked his way up to regional sales manager. Later, he helped start the Installed Sales Division of Lowes Home Improvements and rose to the level of director before retiring. He had a motivational way about him, encouraging others through acts of support and words of wisdom. Ross was a member of Cokesbury UMC in Steadman, and was a member of the Elks Lodge in Fayetteville. He enjoyed designing and building homes for his own family and as a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity. More than anything, Ross was a man of strong faith who dearly loved his family. He was preceded in death by a sister, Sandra Diane Prosser. Surviving are his loving wife of 56 years, Joan Greenway Ross; daughters, Tammy Ross Neal (Kevin) and Catherine Lynn Stone; grandchildren, Lauren E. Stone, Richard F. Strickland, Heather R. Malone (Teddy), Brandon W. Motsinger and Kevin Leo Neal; great grandchildren, Teddy and Ethan Malone; brother, James Ronald Ross; sister, Cindy Taylor (Roy); nieces, Tiffany and Tracy; and nephew, Wesley Prosser; as well as a large extended family and many friends. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 10, 2021, at Clemmons First Baptist Church. A graveside committal will be held at noon Thursday, March 11, 2021, at Cross Creek Cemetery in Fayetteville. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Teddy Malone. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.

Barbara Harp Shields

Barbara Harp Shields, 84, passed away Wednesday, March 3, 2021, at Forsyth Medical Center. She was born Oct. 28, 1936, in Forsyth County to the late Robert and Ezlee Winters Harp. Shields graduated from R.J. Reynolds High School in 1955 and later received her diploma in nursing in 1958 from City Hospital. She was a retired nurse and was a member of Olivet Moravian Church and a past matron of Twin City Chapter No. 60, Order of the Eastern Star. Shields enjoyed traveling, preserving, singing and music. Preceding her in death was her husband, S. Vance Shields and a sister, Rebecca Frye. Surviving is her daughter, Moyra Gunter (Wayne); grandson, Myles Gunter; sister, Marjorie Forest (Bill) of Rural Hall; brother, Wayne Harp (Tony) of Mocksville; also surviving is a nephew, David Frye (Randi) and two nieces, Sherry Brimmer (John) and Elaine O’Shields (Brian). A graveside service was held at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 7, 2021, at Olivet Moravian Church with Rev. Matthew W. Allen officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Olivet Moravian Church, 2205 Olivet Church Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27106 or to a charity of the donor’s choice. Hayworth-Miller Lewisville Chapel is serving the Shields family.

John Strates

Mr. John Strates (Ioannis Stravomitis) passed away peacefully on Feb. 26, 2021. Strates was born on Feb. 8, 1940, in Lithoxori, Evrytania, Greece.

He was preceded in death by his parents Panagiotis and Maria Stravomitis of Greece; brothers: Ilias, Chris, George; and sister, Christina Tsiakos (Vaios). Strates is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Elizabeth Ballas Strates (of Marathia, Greece); his daughter, Maria Tsigas (Apostolos) of Clemmons; son, Peter (Spyridoula) of Winston-Salem; grandchildren Christos and Amalia Tsigas, and Elisa and Zoe Strates of Winston-Salem. He is also survived by his brothers Gus Strates (Vasiliki), Paul Strates (Despina), and sister-in-law Eleni Strates of Winston-Salem, brothers-in-law Gregory Ballas (Maria) and John Ballas (Penny) of Winston-Salem, and multiple nephews and nieces.

After immigrating to the United States in 1967 at the age of 27, Strates immediately started working in the restaurant business at Sam’s Gourmet Restaurant and through hard work, established with his brothers and brother-in-law, The Barbecue House, Dixie Pig Barbecue, Duke’s Restaurant, Westtown Restaurant, and Westtown Eatery and Express, with his son and son-in-law. Strates attended the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church almost every Sunday, where he was very active within the community and loved assisting at the Greek Festival as much as possible. He enjoyed the Evrytanian Association of America (Velouchi) and his daily coffee visits with his brothers and best friends at McDonalds. His sweet character, laid-back demeanor, and selfless love will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

The Trisagion and funeral service was held at 11 a.m. Monday, March 1, 2021, at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, with Fr. George Kouzelis officiating. The interment followed at Forsyth Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 435 Keating Drive, Winston-Salem, NC 27104. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.