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Herman Leon Cook Sr.

Herman Leon Cook Sr., 94, of Columbus passed away Dec. 7, 2021, following a battle with COVID breakthrough. He was a native of N.C.  During his 38-year career with Western Electric Company and AT&T, he lived in several states before retiring in Ohio. A visitation and a brief service of remembrance will be held at Worthington United Methodist Church, 600 High St., Worthington, from 10 a.m.-noon on Dec. 18, 2021. Please visit www.schoedinger.com to view Herman’s complete obituary and service details.

Anna Beroth Doub

Anna Beroth Doub of Clemmons passed away on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021. Doub grew up in Pfafftown and was the daughter of the late Gaither Edward Beroth and Lillian Mock Beroth. She is survived by daughter, Peggy Doub Royall (Quincy) of Clemmons, granddaughter, Merry Ana Holcomb (Adam) of Mocksville, great-grandchildren, Lochan and Briarly Holcomb of Mocksville, brother, Thomas Beroth (Pat) of Pfafftown, and sister, Mary Jane Beroth Griffith of Winston-Salem.

Doub was a graduate of Lewisville High School and a retiree of RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company where she worked as an executive secretary for many years. She was a longtime member of Center Grove Baptist Church of Clemmons and more recently Calvary Baptist Church of Winston-Salem.  Affectionately known as Meme, she enjoyed spending time with her daughter, granddaughter and great-grandchildren. A good hot dog and a milkshake were never far from her thoughts, and she was always up for an adventure whenever the chance arose. She was a strong presence in the lives of her family that will truly be missed. A funeral service was held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021, immediately followed a graveside service at Brookstown United Methodist Church in Pfafftown. The family is grateful for the services provided by Trellis Supportive Care and Habitat for Humanity of Winston-Salem. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the following locations: Trellis Supportive Care, 377 Hospital Street Suite 103 Mocksville, NC 27028 or Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County 1023 W. 14th Street Winston-Salem, NC 27105.

Bronna Gesler

Bronna Gesler of Clemmons passed away unexpectedly on Dec. 8, 2021, at the age of 58. She was born in Winston-Salem on Oct. 24, 1963, to Thomas and Shirley Williams. She was married to Richard Gesler on May 8, 1990, in an intimate ceremony surrounded by loved ones. She was filled with compassion for young and old alike and this drove her to pursue a nursing degree later in life. At 46, Bronna earned her degree from Forsyth Technical Community College and went on to work as an RN. Her grandchildren were her pride. She most loved spending time with them and enjoyed having “sleepovers with grammy.” She was a talented crafter and has gifted her kids and grandkids quilts, crocheted hats and blankets, and many other special items that will be cherished for years to come. She will be dearly missed by her husband, Richard Gesler; daughter, Katelyn King (Bryan), and son Dakota Gesler (Mary); grandchildren Calvin, Julia and Stella; brother, Joe Williams (Judi); and sister Sherry Doub (Allen). She was preceded in death by her mother and father, and sister Vivian Williams. A service was held at 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 13, 2021, at Westlawn Gardens of Memory outdoor mausoleum chapel.

Dianne L. Richardson

On Dec. 7, 2021, Dianne L. Richardson, 78, went into the arms of Jesus. She was raised in St. Stephen, S.C., but spent most of her life in Statesville, where she made a home with her husband, Fred Richardson. After a sudden loss of Fred in 1985, she raised their children with strength, courage, determination and love in the home they built together. She was a tremendous example of sacrificial love for her kids, Dana McKee of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and John Richardson, of Clemmons). She was a fighter and endured much pain throughout her life with an endurance and joy that was remarkable. Even until the very end, she found ways to bring joy and laughter as she was passing to the other side. Her daughter, Dana, held her in her arms until Jesus embraced them both as he led Dianne home. As a resident of Statesville, she deeply loved her friends and family. Anyone that knew her was blessed. Whether it was planning a meal to share together, organizing a card night with her “Friday night girls,” or celebrating a significant event with those she loved, she would always go out of her way to make it perfect. She was an outstanding cook, loved golf and tennis, and was also a great photographer. In her career, she was a teacher, a program director for Parks & Rec, and owner of Richardson’s Cleaners until selling it in the mid-’90s. The one link to all of these was that she loved to serve the community of Statesville. Richardson is survived by daughter Dana McKee (Tom), son John Richardson (Jennifer); grandchildren, Barrett Taylor, Tommy McKee, Mallory Richardson and Addison Richardson; sisters, Rachel McDonald, Rodhea MacKenzie, Carol Callahan, and sister-in-law Marge Sloat. A celebration of life service will be held at 4 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021, at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church in the fellowship hall.

Edward ‘Ed’ Kirkland Shelmerdine IV

Edward “Ed” Kirkland Shelmerdine IV “crossed the bar” on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021. Crossing the bar is an affectionate term referring to the death of a beloved mariner.

Shelmerdine was born to Edward Kirkland Shelmerdine III and Elizabeth Lewis Shelmerdine on July 2, 1928, in Chester, Pennsylvania. He spent his early years at George School in Newtown, Pennsylvania, graduating in 1946. He attended Washington & Lee University. While at W&L, Shelmerdine and several classmates helped to start the men’s soccer program. He would return to W&L for exhibition games from time to time. Taking time off to serve his country, Shelmerdine was in the United States Army from 1950-1952, and in multiple missions with the Merchant Marines from 1947-1953. Shelmerdine returned to graduate from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in physical therapy in 1956.

After his service years, Shelmerdine sailed on the sixth voyage of the 96-foot Brigantine “Yankee,” commanded by Captain Irving Johnson and his wife, Electa (Exy). Leaving from Gloucester, Massachusetts, in 1953, the Yankee and crew sailed around the world, to places that are not easily reached today. Shelmerdine shared his love of spear fishing with the crew, and his photography skills were invaluable as he helped to document the voyage. Some of the highlights were spending time in Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Sepik River, the Galapagos Islands, the Pitcairn Islands, and Pentecost Island. Several of his photographs of the Bunlap tribe participating in their land jumping rituals were published in the National Geographic Magazine.

In 1955, Shelmerdine met and married Gloria Caroline Lorenzon, and they were married for 66 years. During their lives together, Ed continued to be a mariner and adventurer with Gloria as his first mate. One of their most memorable experiences together was with their beautiful 42-foot Whitby sailboat, affectionately named ‘Limelight’. They enjoyed sailing and exploring the Chesapeake Bay for several years. In 1985, they embarked on a year-long cruise, down the Intracoastal Waterway and to the Bahamas, where they island hopped and entertained friends and family with shell-hunting, snorkeling and scuba diving in beautiful crystal blue water.

Shelmerdine spent much of his career at Boeing Computer Services as a systems analyst. He retired in 1995 and moved to North Carolina to be closer to his two sons. After retirement, his adventures continued, as he and Gloria took many trips, including to Alaska, Hawaii, New Zealand and Tahiti.

Retirement provided Shelmerdine with time to be able to focus on his many interests and skills. A talented swimmer, he won multiple swimming awards in the Masters swim league while in his 50s and 60s. He could be found golfing with his friends and even strangers at the Jamestown Golf Course several times a week. He faithfully walked at least a mile every day. He was an avid stamp collector, and meticulously catalogued libraries of first day covers, butterflies and seashells. His fine carpentry and woodworking skills were outstanding. When his two sons were younger, Shelmerdine built their bedroom furniture, iguana cages, wooden trucks, cars and toy cranes. In their last several homes, he built the most beautiful cabinets and shelves for their many books and artifacts that he and Gloria collected from their travels. And like he did for his sons, Shelmerdine also used his skills to build his grandchildren some of their most treasured Christmas gifts, including wooden doll beds, easels, personalized book shelfs and cork bulletin boards. Shelmerdine’s game skills at bridge, poker, Scrabble and every other card and board game were unmatched. The family often sat down knowing that they were no match for his skills, but his enthusiasm for games was contagious, and whenever he suggested a game, the table was full.

Shelmerdine is survived by his wife, Gloria, of Advance; sons, Kirk Shelmerdine of Winston-Salem and Thomas Shelmerdine (Jan) of Greensboro; six grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Vogler & Sons Funeral Home in Clemmons will be providing cremation services. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org — Chicago, Illinois.

Frederick Pleming Wood

Frederick Pleming Wood went on to be with the Lord on Dec. 4, 2021. Wood was outgoing, loving and never met a stranger, which is why he was also called Bubba. “Bubba knows everybody.”

Wood was born on Jan. 10, 1951, in Jacksonville, Florida, to the late Frederick William Peele Wood and Marie Pleming Reiter-Reid. He attended college at Vanderbilt University where he received his bachelor’s degree in computer science and minored in electrical engineering. Upon his graduation, he joined the Navy and went in as an officer where he served three and a half years. Wood was an engineer at heart. He loved fixing things and telling you how everything was supposed to work. Wood worked for Guilford County government for 20 years as a senior systems analyst. After retiring, he worked at a bicycle shop in Clemmons. He really loved repairing the old bikes and putting together the new ones. When he came home at the end of the day, he had a smile on his face and a pep in his step for the things he accomplished that day. That job was more fulfilling for him and brought him more joy than any other because he got to work with his hands.

Wood was a train fanatic. He was a member of the Triad Live Steamers for many years and helped build 12-inch gauge Live Steam train engines and cars big enough for kids and adults to ride during special events at a miniature railroad. He would always bring his daughters with him for a fun day together when they were growing up. Family time was always important to Wood. He loved his girls. Spending time with his girls was the highlight of his day, even if it was just playing video games together. He would also take his daughters to the Highland Games all over the Triad to enjoy the games, the food, the heritage, but mostly the music. Wood loved the bagpipes and eventually learned how to play them.

His love of people led him to serve in his community. Wood was a member of Old Town Masonic Lodge No. 751, the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter No. 355, and was also a Shriner and the founding member of the Oasis 500s. Fred also served as the organist of Olivet Moravian Church for more than 30 years. Wood leaves behind his loving wife of 40 wonderful years, Linda Templeton Wood, and daughters, Kimberly Nicole Wood and Kelly Wood Wentz.

A visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021, at Frank Vogler & Sons, 2849 Middlebrook Drive in Clemmons. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, at Olivet Moravian Church, 2205 Olivet Church Road in Winston-Salem.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children.