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James Larry Hart

Mr. James Larry Hart, 89, passed away Monday, June 13, 2022, at Trinity Elms. Hart was born April 2, 1933, at his home in Clemmons, to the late James Clinton and Pauline Brewer Hart. He graduated from Clemmons High School in 1951. Hart served in the United States Army and was stationed in Japan for several months in 1953. After being honorably discharged in 1955, he graduated from Appalachian State University with a bachelor’s degree in education/teaching. He taught sixth grade in Florida and then returned home to teach sixth grade in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School System at Old Richmond Elementary School. One of his students invited him to dinner at their home and introduced him to their cousin, Bernice Ballew, who was visiting for a week. She lived in Gastonia. They saw each other each evening for the week while she was visiting. Before she went back to Gastonia, Hart asked her to marry him. They married Dec. 23, 1961, and were happily married for more than 60 years. During the summer months, Hart drove a truck for McLean Trucking Company and Roadway Express. He eventually transitioned from teaching and joined his father as a locksmith for the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School System. He retired after 30 years with the school system. Hart was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. He enjoyed the gardening of vegetables, fruits and flowers. He was especially fond of planting apple trees and had over 17 different varieties. One of the family’s fondest memories was the summer vacations. He would plan a two-week vacation each summer to a different state, and everyone would see and do as much of the state as possible in those two weeks.

Hart was preceded in death by his sister, Carolyn Gray Hart. He is survived by his wife, Bernice; daughters, Paula Gray Martin (Jeff), and Carrie Britt Brinkley (Mike); grandchildren, Alicia White (Jake), Caitlyn Berrier and Christina Brinkley; step-grandson, Nick Martin (Brandy); great-grandchildren, Clay, Lily, Adyson, and Maddox; step-great-grandson, Briggs, and several nieces and nephews. A memorial service was conducted at noon Saturday, June 18, 2022, at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel, with Pastor Ron Schuyler officiating. The family received friends from 10:30 a.m. to noon prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Brenner Children’s Hospital, Medical Center Blvd., Winston-Salem, NC  27157.

Evelyn Thornton Mock

Mrs. Evelyn Thornton Mock, affectionately known as “Mock-Mock,” 86, of Winston-Salem passed away Saturday, June 18, 2022. Mock was born Nov. 14, 1935, in Rogersville, Alabama, to the late Paul Herbert Thornton and Essie Grisham Thornton. Mock was born and raised in Alabama, and she was a die-hard Crimson Tide fan. She was a member of Union Grove Baptist Church in Lexington, where she loved spending time and fellowship with her Encouragers Bible Fellowship class. Mock was a talented seamstress her entire life. After working 16 years at Athens Lingerie as a supervisor and instructor, she moved to Memphis, Tennessee, following her marriage to Jack P. Mock. There she worked for 27 years as a customer service specialist at Schering-Plough Corporation until her retirement in 2004. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 32 years, Jack P. Mock; brother, Presley Herbert Thornton and sister, Zeda Thornton Leonard. Mock is survived by her daughters, Renee Mock and Sharon Mock Keller; sisters, Jeanette Pellman and Annette Davenport (George); brother-in-law, Gary Leonard; grandchildren, Carolina Keller, and Wesley Keller; her son-in-law, Jason Keller (Stacey) and bonus grandchildren, Megan Reiter, and Marisa Reiter, as well as several nieces and nephews. A funeral service was held at 4 p.m., Monday, June 20, 2022, at Hayworth-Miller Funeral Home Chapel in Lewisville with Pastor Randy Hand officiating. The family received friends after the service from 5-7 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Memphis, Tennessee, at a later date. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com

Rex Rudolph Murphy

Mr. Rex Rudolph Murphy of Clemmons died June 17, 2022, at the age of 90. He was born Oct. 16, 1931, in Galax, Virginia, to the late Edward and Mallie Murphy. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by sisters Virtue Tyner (Lee), Edna Robinson (Dean), Euna Lee Ward (Charles), Doris  Barrow (Alton, Bill), Margaret Weatherman (James), and Lois Warfel; brothers Ralph, Ray Jackson, and Bob Murphy (Pat); and brothers-in-law Dan Pollock and Al Sale. Murphy retired from Sears, and afterwards he enjoyed doing yardwork, playing golf and following Duke basketball. He volunteered for the Winston-Salem Rescue Squad and Meals on Wheels. He loved the mountains of his old homeplace, farms, his many friends and flying, but most of all he loved his family. Murphy is survived by his wife of 62 years, Dewilla Sale Murphy; daughter Kim Mickey; granddaughters Lauren Mickey (Tony Chen) and Hannah Mickey; sister Charlotte Rosebrook (Jim); in-laws Carol Murphy, Velna Pollock, Susie Sale, and Raymer Sale (Bonnie); and many nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, June 21, 2022, at Forsyth Memorial Park with Rev. Craig Ford officiating. Full military honors will be provided by Forsyth County VFW and the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Ronald McDonald House, or Centenary United Methodist Church. The family wishes to thank the staff of Brookridge Health Care and Trellis for their loving care. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com

Patricia Diane Snyder Payne

Patricia Diane Snyder Payne, 68, passed away at Novant Forsyth Medical Hospital in Winston-Salem on June 4, 2022, surrounded by loved ones. She was born in Davidson County on Dec. 12, 1953, to the late Maelene and John Snyder. She loved being with her grandchildren, family, and she absolutely loved her dogs. Payne retired from Wachovia Bank after 21 years of service.

She was married to Donald Gray Payne on May 31, 1975. She is survived by her children, Stephanie Diane Payne, Crystal Renee Payne of Mocksville and Patrick Gray Payne (Suzanne) of Lexington; grandchildren, Zachary, Bryson, Faith and Noah. She is survived by her brother Jerry Snyder (Carol) and several nieces and nephews.

A visitation was held Friday, June 10, 2022 from 5-7 p.m. at Frank Vogler & Sons in Clemmons, followed by a celebration of life service at 7 p.m.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.frankvoglerandsonsclemmons.com for the Payne family.

Clara ‘Cackie’ Buchanan Rollins

Clara “Cackie” Buchanan Rollins, 82, of Clemmons, entered the more immediate presence of her Savior Wednesday morning, June 15, 2022, at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home. Rollins was born Dec. 2, 1939, in Winston-Salem, the daughter of the late William Stewart Buchanan and the late Nadeina Gibson Buchanan. Rollins graduated from R.J. Reynolds High School and Agnes Scott College. She worked in marketing research for 27 years, and retired from R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. She was a member of Christ Moravian Church, and was actively involved in the choir, women’s fellowship, and her Sunday school class. She volunteered for 10 years at the Moravian Archives. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ray H. Rollins; and a brother, Robert W. Buchanan. She is survived by her daughter, Katherine S. Rollins; and beloved nieces, nephews and friends. The funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, at Christ Moravian Church, with the Rev. Reed Lawson officiating. Interment will follow at Forsyth Memorial Park. Visitation will be in the Christ Moravian sanctuary prior to the service at 10-11 a.m. Special thanks to friends and pastors at Reynolda Church and Christ Moravian Church who prayed, talked, and sang with Rollins throughout her illness, and to everyone who called and sent cards. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Laurel Ridge Camp, or Trellis Supportive Care.

Judy Renee Strickland

Ms. Judy Renee Strickland, 61, of Lewisville, passed away Monday, June 13, 2022, after a long-fought bout with cancer. Strickland was born Dec. 8, 1960, in Atlanta, Georgia to Jerry and Betty Strickland.

Strickland grew up in Charlotte and graduated from Garinger High School in 1979. She kept books for various companies and construction/development companies for over 38 years. She loved the interaction she had with clients, contractors, and others she came in contact with.

Strickland loved life and loved those in her life. She was not one to sit idly by and go unnoticed. She was very artistic and creative. She loved art, color and had an eclectic sense of style. And Judy loved Christmas! You would find her listening to Christmas music any time of the year.

Strickland loved fire trucks and firefighters. She got a personal tour around the community in the Big Pink Fire Truck in May, getting to sign the truck as a cancer warrior.

Strickland is survived by her father, Jerry Strickland of Locust; sisters, Donna Carter, of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and Lisa Underwood (Blair) of Locust; and nephew Jason Mangrum (M.J.) of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

The family received friends from 10:45-11:45 a.m. Saturday, June 18, 2022, at Hayworth-Miller Funeral Home in Lewisville. A memorial service followed the visitation at noon in the Hayworth-Miller Lewisville Chapel with Rev. David Osborne officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Triad Pink Heals NC Chapter http://triadpinkheals.org or Lewisville Fire Department, 216 Lewisville-Clemmons Rd., Lewisville, NC 27023. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com

Avery Keith Washington

Avery Keith Washington passed away on June 13, 2022, in Winston-Salem. He was born on Nov. 1, 1956, in Natchez, Mississippi, to the late Leilah Mae Washington and Roosevelt Dent.

Washington graduated from Oakland Technical High School in 1974. He went on to attend San Jose State University where he majored in engineering. Throughout his schooling, Washington was a dedicated athlete. He focused his physical abilities on wresting and even won first place in the Body Beautiful competition for bodybuilding.

Washington enjoyed walking daily, listening to ole school music and loved to watch boxing.

Washington proudly served his country in the United States Navy. In the Navy, he focused on radar systems and radio operations, leading him into ship navigation. While serving, he traveled to the Pacific and loved talking about the time he spent in Philippines.

He will be missed by everyone who knew him for his great sense of humor and kindness, especially his family. Washington would do anything for his loved ones and family. He was a true family man, spending every moment he could with them. Washington was loved and cared for by his brother, Victor, and sister-in-law, Michelle Kittrell-Thomas, who he considered his own sister. Michelle quickly became his favorite by preparing his favorite dishes to eat often.

In addition to his parents, Washington was preceded in death by his son, Avery Washington Jr.; siblings, Mark Dent and Demitri Lee; nephew, Dominic Wilson; and niece, Latisha Washington. He leaves behind his brothers, Gregory Washington and Victor Thomas; nieces and nephews, Gregory Washington, Jr., Andre Washington, Amari Washington, Amante Washington, Marketta Dent, Tiffany Thomas, Vernon Thomas, Jasper Thomas, Victoria Thomas, and Victor Thomas Jr.; 13 great-nieces; and many other loved ones.

A visitation will be held at 9 a.m. on Thursday, July 7, 2022, at Frank Vogler & Sons Funeral Home in Clemmons. Immediately following the visitation, there will be a celebration of life at 10 a.m. Pastor Keith L. Tuttle from Sweet Holy Spirit Family Worship Cathedral will be officiating the service. Washington will be laid to rest at Salisbury National Cemetery following the service.