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James ‘Jim’ Ronald Apel

Mr. James “Jim” Ronald Apel, 82, of Winston-Salem passed away Monday, Sept. 5, 2022, at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home. He was born April 13, 1940, in Columbus, Ohio, to the late Charles Earl Apel and Norma Hall Apel. Jim was a member of Augsburg Lutheran Church, a loyal Ohio State Buckeye fan and an avid golfer. He is preceded in death by a son, Michael James Apel. Surviving are his wife, Marian Apel; daughters, Kathy Apel and Beth Smith (Mike); daughter-in-law, Stephanie Oropello; granddaughters, Maya Apel, Molly Apel and Brook Smith;  sister, Barbara Healey (Jim); and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. A funeral service was conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9, 2022, at Hayworth-Miller Kinderton Chapel by Rev. Paul Wollner. Burial followed in Westlawn Gardens of Memory. The family received friends one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Augsburg Lutheran Church (845 West Fifth Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101) or Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home (101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, NC 27103). Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.

Carolyn Jean Culler Brown

Carolyn Jean Culler Brown, of Winston-Salem passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022, at Vienna Village Assisted Living. Carolyn was born on Jan 1, 1937, to James David and Juanita Baker Culler of Winston-Salem. She graduated from Hanes High School, class of 1954. Upon marriage to J. Thomas Brown, she moved to Atlanta, while he obtained his engineering degree at Georgia Tech. During this time, she worked for Life Insurance Company of Georgia where she sang in the company chorus. Upon Tom’s graduation, they relocated back to Winston-Salem and started their family of three children.

Carolyn loved reading. She loved to sing.  She sang in her church choir and directed the choir at Crestwood Baptist for a number of years. She enjoyed sewing for her children and grandchildren. She made more meals than anyone could count and did it without ever complaining. She enjoyed projects: all types of home improvements as well as helping her children pack up, move and settle in their new locations. She enjoyed quilting and being with her quilting group friends at Clemmons United Methodist Church. Flower gardening was a source of joy for her. And she always loved to watch a good thunderstorm! She was always a wonderful host for her grandchildren and their friends at Lake Hickory and the Bay River in Pamlico County. Carolyn volunteered with the Forsyth County Mental Health Association, being an advocate for families who were having to involuntarily commit their loved ones. She is survived by her husband J. Thomas “Tom” Brown; children, Sharon Culler (Gregg Moore), Gina Riggins (Ed Sansbury) and Mark Brown (Jeannette); five grandchildren who called her Mimi: David Bay-Brown (Amelia), Emily Brown Schwabe (John), Alyssa Riggins (James Cox), Anna Claire Riggins, and Meredith Brown; and great-grandchild, Eva Meredith Schwabe.  She is also survived by her dear brother, Steve Culler (Judy Griffin Culler). A funeral service will be held on Monday, Sept. 12, 2022, at 11 a.m. at Vogler’s Chapel at Forsyth Memorial Park, 3771 Yadkinville Road in Winston-Salem. The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Vienna Village Assisted Living who cared for Carolyn with skill, compassion and humor for the last three years. In her memory, the family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Dickerson Family Fund established at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center whose mission is conducting research in Alzheimer’s Disease. The Dickerson Family Fund, Office of Philanthropy and Alumni Relations, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, P.O. Box 571021, Winston-Salem NC 27157-1021.

Bryan Paul Emerson

Bryan Paul Emerson, 53, of Clemmons died on Sept. 3, 2022. If you had to pick one word to describe him, it would likely be passion. His zest for life, his contagious laugh, brilliant smile and his ability to light up any room were his hallmark. Bryan’s sense of humor was unmatched along with love of a practical joke.

Bryan also was a loyal friend with a big heart that personified the phrase of being “all in.” Whether it was opening his home to rescue Pugs, his meticulous nature to every project he undertook, collecting action figures, arranging said action figures, or his many artistic ventures. He always brought a special focus and zeal.

Some of Bryan’s passionate pursuits included the riding his motorcycle, being a loving owner of his many animals in his life, and his pride and joy being that of his Mustang fastback.

There is much more one could say that can’t be covered in a short announcement but suffice to say, Bryan will be missed by his family and all that had the pleasure to know him.

Bryan is survived by his wife, Wendy, his siblings Dustin, Andy, Alexa and his parents.

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

Nancy Susan Naumann Noffsinger

Nancy Susan Naumann Noffsinger, 83, of Winston-Salem was called to the Lord on Monday, Aug. 29, 2022. Nancy passed at home with her husband Thomas “Tom” Lee Noffsinger, and all of their children at her side.

Nancy is preceded in death by her mother Virginia Mae Naumann Dodrill and her brother Ralph Edwin Naumann. She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Thomas “Tom” Lee Noffsinger. She is also survived by her children, Joyce Ann White (Michael) of Clemmons; Janet Lie Noffsinger of Edinboro, Pennsylvania; Robert “Bob” Lee Noffsinger of Winston-Salem; Scott Thomas Noffsinger (Katy) of Greenville, Texas; nine grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren.

Nancy was born in Princeton, West Virginia. She graduated from St. Albans High School in St. Albans, W.V., in 1957. She later graduated from Forsyth Technical Community College in Winston-Salem in 1984 with an associate’s degree in medical technology. After graduation, she worked as a medical technician in the intensive care unit at Forsyth Memorial Hospital in Winston-Salem for over 10 years. She was a passionate caregiver and touched many lives during her career.

Throughout her life, she helped bring numerous souls to the Lord.

She was the true meaning of a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Those who have had the privilege to meet her immediately loved her. Her laughter, her love and her passion were contagious. She will forever be dearly missed.

In lieu of flowers please, send a donation to the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home, Trellis Supportive Care or a hospice provider in your area.

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

Edward Ramon Jr.

Edward Ramon Jr., 80, passed away on Sept. 4, 2022, in Greensboro.

He was born in San Antonio, Texas, on Aug. 6, 1942, to the late Edward and Eva Ramon. Edward proudly served his country in the United States Army. While in the Army, he became a helicopter pilot. After his discharge, he flew helicopters commercially in Alaska. Edward completed his master’s degree in psychiatry at Tulsa University. He generously used his degree to aid other veterans after their time in the service. Edward was a patient and caring man; always showing compassion for others.

In his spare time, Edward loved to paint with acrylics. Autumn was his favorite time of year. He would rush to the pumpkin farm and sit joyfully painting away all day.

Edward is survived by his wife of 15 years, Anna Ramon; children, Edward Timothy Ramon (Cynthia), Tony Ramon, Becky Ramon, Hunter Ramon and Rachel Pepin; stepchildren, Sergey July (Svetlana) and Kate Hollis (Justin); grandchildren; Lucy, Lacy, Jacob, Jeannie, Eva, Sophia, Jackson, Vivian, Sofi, Gracie, George, Felix, Wade, Ezra, Enoch and Ethan; sister, Evelyn Thrower; great-grandchildren, Simon, Dalton Timothy, Briar Rose and Gabriella and his three beloved dogs, Tinkerbell, Storm and Daisy.

A gathering of family and friends was held from 4-6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022, at Frank Vogler & Sons in Clemmons.