Obituaries for the week of Aug. 18

Published 2:37 pm Monday, August 15, 2022

Garland ‘Bill’ Lindsay Barr

Garland “Bill” Lindsay Barr, 88, passed away on Aug. 8, 2022. Bill was born on July 16, 1934, in Forsyth County to Cosba and Jettie Barr. He worked as a mechanic at RJ Reynolds and retired after over 35 years.

Bill proudly served his country in the United States Army and remained a patriot his entire life. He cared deeply for others and was very loving and thoughtful. Bill was a dedicated member of Grace Baptist Church in Lewisville for over 20 years where he acted as treasurer.

In his spare time, Bill could be found perusing yard sales for something to resell or trying his luck on scratch-offs. He was also a neighborhood staple — riding his golf cart around on his daily rides, making sure to keep in touch with all his neighbors and friends.

Bill’s greatest joy in life came from spending time with his family. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Clara Bennett Barr; daughter, Karen Davis (Jeep); grandson, Sammy Ball (Courtney); great-grandson, Samuel Ball; sister, Florence Hampton; and many other loved ones and friends. In addition to his parents, Bill also was preceded in death by his brothers, Cosba Barr Jr. and Kenneth Barr.

A visitation was held from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 12, 2022, Frank Vogler & Sons in Clemmons. The funeral service was held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022, at Grace Baptist Church in Lewisville.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Grace Baptist Church, 7795 Grapevine Rd, Lewisville, NC 27023.

Michael Francis Hauser

Michael Francis Hauser of Winston Salem passed away peacefully on Aug. 10, 2022, surrounded by his family.

Mike was born May 7, 1944, in Forsyth County to the late Wilbur Woodrow and Doris Stimson Hauser.
Mike graduated from Southwest High School (now West Forsyth) in May 1962. He enjoyed playing football throughout high school and made All Conference football team his senior year. He was elected Most Dependable by his high school classmates. He went on to graduate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a bachelor’s degree in industrial relations in 1967.

After this, Mike volunteered to join the Navy during the Vietnam era and served his country honorably. He was assigned to the destroyer USS Stormes. After completing his military duties, he went back to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and completed his master’s degree in social work in 1972. While in school, Mike married his sweetheart Susan Poe on Aug. 15, 1970.

Following graduate school, he devoted his life to his work in social services primarily with foster care services for children. In 1985, he began his next stage of life working with military veterans at the Greensboro Vet Center. Here he continued to serve his country by counseling combat vets with post-traumatic stress disorder for the next 24 years. Mike greatly enjoyed his work at the VA and helped countless veterans over his long career.

Mike was a man of great faith and began his journey with God at Lewisville Methodist Church as a child. He was a deacon at First Presbyterian Church in Winston-Salem and attended First Presbyterian Church in Thomasville.

He had one brother, Edwin Hauser, who sadly passed away one day prior to him.

Surviving family includes his loving wife of 52 years, Susan Poe Hauser; sons, Jason Michael Hauser of Winston-Salem and Zachary David Hauser of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; daughters, Jessica Hauser Craig (Ryan) of Winston-Salem, and Elizabeth Hauser Hanypsiak (Taras) of Charlotte; grandchildren Rohan, Nayan and Shaylan and one more on the way, little Poppy.

A funeral service was held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 14, 2022, at Hayworth-Miller Lewisville Chapel, with Rev. Jennie Hemrick officiating. Burial immediately followed the service in Lewisville United Methodist Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Samaritan’s Purse at www.samaritanspurse.org/our-ministry/donate-online

Melissa Fussell Lefebvre

Mrs. Melissa Fussell Lefebvre, 54, went to be with her Lord and savior on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022, at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home. She was born in Forsyth County to Leroy F. and Bettie Norris Fussell. Melissa had an outgoing personality and was a loving friend to many. She was a loving and supportive mother who enjoyed anything to do with cheerleading that involved her daughter, Savannah. Preceding her in death was her father, Leroy F. Fussell; brother-in-law, Tom Caudill and her uncle, Clinard Norris. Surviving is her husband, Dean Lefebvre; daughter, Savannah Lefebvre; mother, Bettie N. Fussell; brother, H. James “Jim” Fussell (Judy); sisters, Rebecca Fussell and Gloria Caudill; nephew, Matt Fussell (Alison) and their children; niece, Brooke Everhart (Bradley) and their children; uncle, Thurmond Fussell (Phyllis); aunt, Gladys Norris; also surviving are several cousins. A funeral service was held at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 15, 2022, at Pinedale Christian Church with Pastor Bill McKenzie and Pastor Danny Spainhour officiating. The family received friends from 10-11 a.m. prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trellis and Supportive Care, 101 Hospice Lane Winston-Salem, NC 27103. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.

Joseph ‘Joe’ Brown Martin Sr.

Joseph “Joe” Brown Martin Sr., entered God’s heavenly kingdom on Sunday, Aug. 7, 2022. He was born Nov. 20, 1937, to the late Charles W. Martin Jr. and Ruth A. Martin. Joe was a devoted family man to his wife and sweetheart of 62 years, Irene Martin, and his only son, Joseph “Joe” B. Martin Jr. Joe loved the Lord and was a man of high moral character. He accepted Christ as his savior during his time as a student at Richlands High School and was later rededicated and baptized. As a young man, Joe enjoyed music and played saxophone and piano. Joe was a graduate of Bluefield College and Virginia Polytechnic Institute. Upon graduation, Joe came to Winston-Salem to begin his 34-year career with RJR. During this time, he was activated as an Army reservist due to the Cuban Missile Crisis. Joe enjoyed nature and being outdoors. Specifically, he had a passion for golf, fishing and working countless hours in his yard. True to his personality, when trout fishing, he sought out the most remote locations possible for quiet reflection and full appreciation of nature. In retirement, Joe enjoyed spending as much time as possible with his four precious grandchildren. Joe held a special bond with each child that will never be broken even in death. Joe is survived by his wife, Irene Martin; son, Joe B. Martin (Molly); and grandchildren: Claire, Emma, Joe III and Jim. A family graveside service will be held at the family plot in Lebanon, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, the family requests your consideration to help support the recent flood victims in Southwest Virginia and Kentucky by donating to Samaritan’s Purse, US Disaster Relief, Project Code 013622, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607, https://sampur.se/3zJUXKZ Memo Line: In Memory of Joseph B. Martin.

Mary Lou Martin

When my daughter, lightheartedly, suggested I write my obituary, I, seriously, decided it was a good idea. It will help my family at a busy time. I was born in Wood River, Illinois, on Feb. 11, 1930, to a young minister and his wife, John U. Phelps, and Edna Lashmit Phelps.

My sister, Gene Rebecca Hale (Jim), and my sister, Emily Ann Nunn (Danny), joined us later. Our family remained bound together in love throughout our lives. I graduated from high school in Brownstown, Indiana, and attended college at Johnson Bible College, now Johnson University, in Knoxville, Tennessee. Soon after arriving at college, I met Bob Martin, a very serious young ministerial student. We quickly became friends. Three years later he asked me for our first date, and we married two weeks after I graduated.

The Lord enriched our lives through the birth/lives of our children, Stephen Paul Martin (Phyllis) and Sarah Elizabeth Kelley (Paul). Just when I thought life couldn’t be sweeter, the Lord sent grandchildren: Joshua Kelley (Shannon), Rachel Kelley, Nathanael Kelley (Ashley), Elizabeth Kelley Matlock (Jacob), Tabitha Martin, and Abigail Martin Moyers (Greg). They piled on the blessings by giving us 13 great-grandchildren.

Bob and I served and were served by Christian churches in southern Indiana, State College, Pennsylvania; Manhattan, Kansas; and Knoxville, Tennessee. While living in Manhattan, I earned two additional degrees at Kansas State University.

For 28 years, Bob taught Bible and theology at Johnson. I taught first grade in a public school. After retiring, I taught children’s literature at the college. We lived in a historic home on campus and delighted in relationships with other faculty/staff members, and with the students who now serve the Lord throughout the world. In 2003, we retired to Clemmons, where both my parents had grown up, and I had visited relatives each summer when I was a child. I was lovingly received into the family of Pinedale Christian Church.

Jesus, my parents, my granddaughter Rachel, my husband, and my two sisters have already joyfully greeted me in my new home in heaven on Aug. 4, 2022. Throughout my life, I saw Jesus with the eyes of my heart. Now, as you read this, I see Him face to face.

There will be a private family graveside service. A public celebration service of Mary Lou’s life will be held at a later date.

Savanna Kay Saunders

Ms. Savanna Kay Saunders, 34, passed away on Aug. 10, 2022, at Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home. Savanna was born on Nov. 7, 1987, in Forsyth County. Following graduation from Davie High School, she attended High Point University. There, she earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education. Savanna reached out and made a difference in the lives of those less fortunate. She enjoyed music and was a gifted singer, performing at church and in a vocal ensemble. She was happiest when spending time at the beach. Savanna is survived by her children, Cayson Peacock and Noah Saunders; mother, Debra Harwell; brother, Tyler McLamb; grandparents, Curt and Pat Hege; a large extended family and many friends. A celebration of Savanna’s life will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, at Hayworth-Miller Kinderton Chapel with Rev. Abby Catoe officiating. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.