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James Thomas Adams Jr.

Mr. James Thomas Adams Jr., 100, died Monday, Feb. 21, 2022, at his home surrounded by family. Adams was the son of James Thomas Adams Sr. and Minnie Ebert Adams and brother to Ruby Adams Teague. He left behind his bride of 74 years, Marie Cody Adams and children, James Thomas Adams III (deceased), Beverly Carol Adams Ellison and Norman Dennis Adams. He had two grandsons, Joshua Thomas Ellison (Megan) and Lloyd Clay Adams. He had a great-grandson, Ethan Edward Ellison and other extended family members. Adams was employed at R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company over 30 years. After retirement, James and Marie lived on his beloved Harkers Island. He enjoyed fishing and gardening various flowers, especially harvesting gourds for the purple martins’ annual visit. He was a World War II veteran serving in the Pacific Theater. A lifelong member of Ardmore Moravian Church, in his younger years, he ushered and served as a diener. A graveside service was held at the cremation section of Salem Moravian Graveyard at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022, with Pastor Chaz Snider officiating. The family wishes to express their appreciation for all the people who cared for James and his church family.

Barbara Lach Biedny

Barbara Lach Biedny passed away in the early morning hours of Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022, to be joined with the Lord. Biedny was born in November 1937 in Buffalo, New York, later relocating to Clemmons. She lived to be 84 years of age which she felt was quite an accomplishment.

Biedny was predeceased by her loving husband, Stanley A. Biedny in 2003 and never a day went by that she did not miss his presence. Biedny is lovingly remembered by her children Elizabeth B. Rhodes, Louise B Jacobson, and Robert E. Biedny; grandchildren N. Alex Wilson, Evan M. Barnes, Sarah K. Wilson and Torrey P. Orlopp. Biedny was also a very proud great-grandmother to Natalie Rose and Sadie.

Biedny was a graduate of D’Youville College in Buffalo and was a devoted teacher and debate coach at a variety of schools in Forsyth County. She had a love of history that was unbridled and loved sharing it with her students. She was very active in her faith community and always looked forward to playing Mahjong, pinochle and dominoes with her dear friends whom she loved as well as teaching them to her grandchildren. Biedny was always an avid reader and gardener and found joy in looking out over her flower beds and birdwatching, a nature lover.

A service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 4, 2022, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Clemmons.

Joseph Francis Clarke

Joseph Francis Clarke, 83, of Clemmons passed away on Friday, Feb. 11, 2022. Clarke was born Oct. 20, 1938, in Suffolk County, N.Y., to the late Thomas and Susan Clarke.

He graduated from Manhattan College with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. Clarke worked for Grumman Aerospace as an aerospace engineer for over 40 years. He had a world-changing career beginning with working on the lunar module and ending with working on the Joint STARS.

Clarke was always giving to others in his community. While living in N.Y., he volunteered at the East Northport Fire Department for over 20 years. In N.C., he was a Knight of Columbus at his home church, Holy Family.

Clarke is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Mary Lee Bleecker Clarke; children, Joseph Clarke (Janet), Brian Clarke (Heather), Michael Clarke (Kim), and Debbie Schmitt; grandchildren, Victoria Clarke, Evan Clarke, Caitlin Clarke, Samantha Clarke (Martin Kappauf), Collin Clarke, Brendan Clarke, Morgan Clarke, Nick Schmitt, and Chris Schmitt; and many other loved ones.

A visitation took place from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022, at Frank Vogler & Sons in Clemmons. Funeral mass was held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 18, 2022, at Holy Family Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Tunnels to Towers Foundation (t2t.org).

Mary Elizabeth Currin

Mary Elizabeth Currin, 78, died peacefully at Brantwood Nursing Home on Feb. 27, 2022. She was the daughter of the late James Henry Currin Sr. and Evelyn Parham Currin. Mary was born in Granville County on Oct. 16, 1943.

Currin was a woman who dedicated her life to her mother and daddy and the education of children. She earned her master’s degree in education from N.C. State University and taught 34 years at West Forsyth High School in Clemmons. She received the North Carolina Math Teacher of the Year award and many other accolades during her career. She served on the National Honor Society and Scholarship committees. For 28 years, she sponsored a dance team of about 35 girls that would perform at high school sporting events. Her life revolved around her students and family. She would travel back home every two weeks or more often if necessary to visit her family. During summer months, she would spend most of her vacation time at her parents’ home helping can and freeze vegetables and making preserves. She loved to cook and sew making a lot of her own clothes.

Currin is survived by her brother, James Henry Currin Jr. (Donna); nephew, John W. Elliott of Oxford; great-niece, Skylar “Sky Pie” Elizabeth Elliott; and numerous cousins.

Currin was predeceased by her parents and nephew, Robert Lee Elliott.

A visitation will be held for family and friends from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, at Gentry-Newell and Vaughan Funeral Home, other times at the home of James Henry Currin Jr. The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 3, 2022, at Delray no Baptist Church of Oxford, officiated by Rev. Joe Don Cooper. Burial to follow at Meadowview Memorial Park.

Flowers are welcome or memorials may be made in her honor to Delrayno Baptist Church Youth Group.

The Currin family is being proudly served by Gentry-Newell & Vaughan Funeral Home, Oxford, NC. Online memorials can be made at gnvfuneralhome.com/

Helen Marie Blackburn Pardue

Mrs. Helen Marie Blackburn Pardue, 90, passed away peacefully on Monday, Feb. 21, 2022, at her residence. She was born on Aug. 2, 1931, in Yadkin County to Talmadge William and Sallie Reece Blackburn. After many years of service, Pardue retired from Bellsouth. She enjoyed any type of puzzle, but she especially liked crossword puzzles. She was an avid reader and loved her Atlanta Braves. Pardue was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, sister and friend who will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved her.

In addition to her parents, Pardue was preceded in death by her loving husband, James Bueford “J.B.” Pardue; daughter, Amy Pardue Haire; and brothers, William Blackburn, Kenneth Blackburn and Earl Blackburn.

She is survived by children, Suzan Pardue Wade, Adrian Renee Pardue Kaspar (Frank), Scott Pardue (Barbara), and Tracey Pardue Nelson (Dale); seven grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; sister, Edna B. Kelley; son-in-law, Eddie Haire; sister-in-law, Barbara Blackburn; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A private service to celebrate Pardue’s life will be held at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorials in her name may be made to Trellis Supportive Care at 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, NC 27103 or the American Heart Association at P.O. Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692.

Arthur Dennis Peck

Mr. Arthur Dennis Peck, 64, of Pfafftown passed away Feb. 20, 2022, at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital.

Peck was born to the late Donald Arthur Peck and Lucille Irene Nadeau Peck on Feb. 19, 1958, in Volusia County, Florida.

He served in the Canadian Naval Reserves, with many years of dedicated service. Peck was a lover of antiques, yard sales, old cars, music, baseball, wrestling and NASCAR. Most importantly, he loved his family and his beloved dog, Toby.

He was preceded in death by his parents; great-grandson, Draven Storm Alley; and his dog, Harley.

Peck’s surviving family members include his beloved wife, Lucy Peck; step-children, Tori Gentry and Michael Gentry; brother, Michael Peck (Yvonne); sister, Donna Abrams (Dave); step-brother, Rodney Jackson; nieces, Melissa Peck and Dianna Stephens; grandchildren, Brooke Michelle Gentry, Brian Austin Sawyers, Summer Lynette Alley, Neveah Jace White and Julius Chester III; and great-grandchildren, Dexter Arthur Gentry, Timothy Turner, Maizie Belle Sawyers, Jasper Arthur Alley and Preston Jace Collins.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, 1500 Pinecroft Road, Suite 109, Greensboro, NC, 27407.

Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com

Elizabeth ‘Libby’ Snyder

Elizabeth “Libby” Snyder entered the presence of her Lord and savior on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022. Snyder was born Sept. 14, 1932, in White Plains to the late Alonzo Venable and Nancy Mallie Draughn Venable. She is survived by her very dear brother Max Waldo Venable of Mocksville, and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. They will cherish the memories of time with their loving “Aunt Libby” and celebrate her life and the impact she made in the lives of so many. Her giving and vivacious character will always remain in their hearts. In addition to her parents, Snyder was preceded in death by her devoted and loving husband Clayton Eugene Snyder; brothers, Clarence Alonzo Venable, William Franklin Venable, Roland Edward Venable and James Truman Venable; and sisters, Stella Mae Crum and Mary Bettie Lou Tate. Snyder attended the University of Indiana for two years, then completed her education, graduating from Guilford College in Greensboro. She was a most inspiring educator with a career spanning more than 36 years. She taught for the Dade County School System in Florida, receiving the “Teacher of the Year” award in 1972. She also taught for the Stokes County School System and retired from the Winston Salem/Forsyth County School System. After retiring, she worked alongside her husband, Clayton, in their real estate business endeavors in Winston-Salem. Snyder grew up in the White Plains Friends Church and later became a member of Pinnacle Baptist Church. Reading, family visits, card games with family and girlfriends and beach trips were activities that brought her great joy. The family humbly appreciates your prayers and condolences. Visitation with the family was from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022, at Frank Vogler & Sons Funeral Home in Clemmons. Funeral services were conducted at 1 p.m. in the chapel with interment to follow at Pinnacle Baptist Church Cemetery. Memorials may be sent to White Plains Friends Church at 849 Old US 601, Mount Airy, NC 27030.

Dwight Wayne Spach

Mr. Dwight Wayne Spach, 77, of Mocksville passed away Monday, Feb. 21, 2022, at Maple Leaf Healthcare in Statesville. He was born July 2, 1944, in Forsyth County to Sanford Cicero and Sarah Long Spach. Spach was a dairy/crop farmer all his life. He enjoyed being outdoors, driving his tractors and tending his crops. He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Donald Spach, Terry Spach, Frank Spach and Wade Spach. He is survived by his brother, Eddie Spach (Angela); nieces and nephews, Brian Spach (Kathryn), Melinda Ladd (Brad Parks), Melissa Lail (Andrew), Max Spach, Stephen Spach (Angie) and Sonya Grier (Marty); and sister-in-law, Gayle Spach. He is also survived by several great-nieces and great-nephews. A graveside service was held at noon on Monday, Feb. 28, 2022, at Parklawn Memorial Gardens by the Rev. Timothy Shoaf. Memorials may be made to Farmington United Methodist Church Children’s Playground Fund 1939 Farmington Road, Mocksville, NC   27028. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.