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James ‘Jim’ Emory Johnson

James ‘”Jim” Emory Johnson, 96, of Clemmons, passed away on Wednesday, March 31, 2021. He was born on Sept. 24, 1924, in Forsyth County to John Frank Johnson and Phisa Harding Johnson.

Johnson proudly served in the United States Navy during World War II. He was married to Ann Herman Johnson in 1957, and in 1960, they moved to their farm in Clemmons. He had a love of the outdoors and nature, and he took great pride in farming and raising a garden each year. He enjoyed the art of beekeeping, and he also had a love and appreciation for animals of all kinds. In fact, he was an avid birdwatcher and made bluebird houses which he placed around the farm. Johnson was known as a talented master craftsman. He was also a skilled tool and die maker at AT&T where he retired after 30 years of service. Following his retirement, he worked for an additional eight years as a master tool and die maker at Fairchild Burns.

Johnson is survived by his wife of 64 years, Ann Herman Johnson of Clemmons; daughter, Lynn Johnson Myers (David) of Winston-Salem; son, Eric Johnson of Clemmons; daughter, Beverly Johnson (Steve Lineback) of Clemmons; and grandson, Corey Myers of Winston-Salem. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Agnes Tesh, Lilli Oldham, Louise Sparks, and Patti Ladd; and brothers, Harding Johnson, John Johnson, Maxwell Johnson, and William Johnson.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation for the care, kindness, and compassion Johnson received during his illness from the staff in the Palliative Care Unit at Forsyth Medical Center and Trellis Supportive Care.

A graveside service was held at Westlawn Gardens of Memory in Clemmons on Monday, April 5, at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (Memorial Giving, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105) or Reedy Creek Baptist Church Building Fund (600 Reedy Creek Baptist Church Road, Lexington, NC 27295.) Hayworth Miller is serving the family.

Frances Arlene Pilcher

Frances Arlene Pilcher, 59, passed away Friday, April 2, 2021, at Hospice of High Point. She was born in Davie County on June 17, 1961, the daughter of the late Vestal “Buddy” Davis Pilcher and Frances Lee Keaton. Pilcher worked for Goodwill Industries as a shift leader and loved spending time at the beach. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Kaylee Noelle Bakies. She is survived by daughter, Amanda Bakies (Robert); and two grandchildren, Tessa Bakies and Matthew Bakies. A memorial service will be conducted at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Dr. John Phillip Pruitt

Dr. John Phillip Pruitt, 67, died unexpectedly Friday, April 2, 2021. He lived for 67 years with a fierce passion expressed through his faith, family, giving and dentistry.

Pruitt, aka “Papa Doc,” was born Feb. 23, 1954, to Thomas Pitts Pruitt and Josephine Poole Pruitt in Hickory.

Pruitt attended Sewanee Military Academy, played several sports, and was quite the prankster in his younger years. Pruitt applied to college and went on to graduate from Wake Forrest University, then attended UNC Chapel Hill Dental School from 1976-1980. Upon graduation from dental school, he moved to Winston-Salem to begin working with his dental mentor and partner, Dr. Charles Culbreath.

It was in Winston-Salem where he met his wife, Vicky Clark, and started a family with sons, Phillip and Michael.

He served in the U.S. Army reserves for more than 10 years and was honorably discharged as a major in 1992. He grew and expanded his dental practice to what is now known as “Winston Smiles,” whom he considered his second family. He recently celebrated his 40th year in dentistry, where he likely would have never fully retired because of his love for the profession.

He served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, and dental missionary through Calvary Baptist Church, Pinedale Christian Church, and Center Grove Church. His passion was to serve communities locally and all around the world with his dental gifts. He provided free dental clinics monthly in Winston-Salem, veteran clinics around North Carolina, and provided care to more than 50 locations around the globe for underprivileged communities.

He was a founder and pioneer for developing “Footbridge” which is a nonprofit organization that connects medical professionals with churches locally and globally to meet the physical and spiritual concerns of people in need.

Above all these accolades and accomplishments, Pruitt is best remembered for his relentless giving nature and high intensity in everything that he did.

Pruitt is survived by his wife, Vicky; sons, Phillip and Michael; daughter-in-law, Megan Pruitt; granddaughter, Olive Mae Pruitt; and three dogs. He is also survived by his mother Josephine Pruitt, brother Tommy Pruitt (Leanne), sister Rebecca Gammon (Bill), brother-in-law, Bruce Clark (Pam), and father-in-law, Curtis Clark.

A celebration of life will be held for Pruitt on Wednesday, April 7, 2021, at Calvary Baptist Church (Peacehaven Road) at 1 p.m. A burial service will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Forsyth Memorial Garden. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Pruitt’s memory to Footbridge PO Box 1716 Welcome, NC 27374, Calvary Baptist Church 134 S. Peacehaven Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27104, or Center Grove Baptist Church 8750 Lasater Road, Clemmons, NC 27012.

There will be a viewing available on Tuesday, April 6, 2021, from 4-7 p.m. at the Hayworth-Miller Funeral Homes & Crematory, Silas Creek Chapel. Also, there will be a one-hour viewing prior to the funeral ceremony at Calvary Baptist Church.