Deaths — Dec. 19

Published 12:00 am Thursday, December 19, 2024

Frances Jewel Darby Edwards

Mrs. Frances Jewel Darby Edwards, 81, of Clemmons passed away Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024, at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center after a brief illness. She was born July 17, 1943, in Albany, Georgia to the late William Edd Darby and Dixie Jewel McAllister Darby.   

Frances graduated from Albany High School. After moving to North Carolina with her high-school sweetheart and husband, Dewey Boyce Edwards in 1968, they co-founded together Clemmons Pallet & Skid Works in 1971, where she served as senior vice-president.

In her free time, she enjoyed all things crafting but was especially passionate about making jewelry and found joy in giving her pieces to friends and family. She loved holidays and having her family together at Christmas. Frances was known for her kind heart and love of her family and friends, but her greatest gift was being a mother and grandmother.

She leaves behind her husband of 63 years, Dewey Boyce Edwards Jr.; daughters, Lisa Cranfill (Jeff), Melissa Avent; son, Dewey Edwards III (Jodi), grandchildren, Mitchell Avent (Maggie), Darby Avent and Lily Edwards; great-grandchild, Samuel Avent; nieces, Dani Darby, Wendy Barber and a nephew, Chip Darby.

Proceeding her in death in addition to her parents were her siblings, Carolyn Medlin and Richard Darby.

A celebration of her life was held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, at Hayworth-Miller Kinderton Chapel. The family received friends from noon-1:30 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Samaritans Purse Hurricane Helene relief (www.samaritanspurse.org) or to a charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com

The family thanks everyone for their love and support that has been extended and appreciation to the care team at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center for their care and compassion during her stay there.

Lola Jane Alexander Hoke

Mrs. Jane Hoke, 76, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024, following a nearly 10-year battle with Multi System Atrophy of the Parkinson’s Type (MSA-P).

She was born on Jan. 28, 1948, in Iredell County to the late Fleet Alexander and Lois Miller Alexander (Branton), and she was also preceded in death by her stepfather James Branton and her stepbrother Gary Branton.

She is survived by her husband of nearly 56 years, Robert Hoke, and their two children, Jonathan Hoke (Terri) of Advance and Jennifer Hoke Harrell (Mark) of Roswell, Georgia, and five grandchildren, Spencer, Ben and Laurin Hoke and Jackson and Maggie Harrell.

Jane was a graduate of Appalachian State University. She was a National Board-Certified high school science teacher at Forbush High School and later at North Forsyth High School. She was a teacher every day of her life even teaching her numerous caregivers how to cook, bake and garden. She enjoyed teaching, sewing, gardening, birds, hiking, the outdoors, Boone and Blowing Rock, and spending time with her family.

Jane’s celebration of life service was held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, in the chapel at Frank Vogler & Sons in Clemmons. The family received visitors following the service in the chapel.

The family would like to thank neighbors and friends, Jane’s caregivers and nurses, Trellis Hospice, and Kate B. Reynolds Hospice House.

Gunter Ernst Pfitzner

Mr. Gunter Ernst Pfitzner, 73, passed away unexpectedly on Dec. 14, 2024, surrounded by his family. Gunter was born on Aug. 15, 1951, the son of Herbert and Annaliese (Wagner) Pfitzner in Eschwege, West Germany. He has two brothers and one sister and their families, all surviving in Germany. On Sept. 8, 1972, Gunter married Gretchen (Goss) Pfitzner, and they lived in Weedsport, N.Y., where they had two daughters, Krista and Katrina. He worked in management and operations in the manufacturing industry which brought him to Auburn, Maine and then Winston-Salem/ Clemmons for the past 28 years. Gunter worked very hard for his family his entire career, most recently working at Narroflex in Stuart, Virginia. Gunter was very proud of his family and enjoyed spending time with his wife Gretchen and loved being a grandfather to Bradley and Summer Thurlow, and Linden and Shelby Blalock. Gunter was a very talented musician, playing the piano, organ, trombone and many other instruments from the age of 5. He enjoyed playing for many churches in all the communities he lived in, and played for pleasure, especially enjoying the holiday season and playing for family and friends. Gunter was always active — he was an avid golfer, attended the Y in Clemmons daily, loved concerts at the park and enjoyed vacations at the beach. Gunter’s family will honor and treasure their special memories, as all the times with “OBO” meant laughter and fun. Gunter was preceded in passing by his parents, and his son-in-law, Brian Thurlow. He leaves behind his wife of 52 years, Gretchen (Goss) Pfitzner, his sister Margaret Heussner (Erving); brothers, Kurt and Norbert Pfitzner (Petra); daughters Krista Thurlow, and Katrina Pfitzner and Matthew Blalock, grandchildren, Bradley Thurlow (Jordan), Summer Thurlow, Linden and Shelby Blalock. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, at Lutheran Church of the Epiphany on Silas Creek Parkway in Winston-Salem. Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.

• • •

• LaVonda Hemric Boston, 81, passed away peacefully on Dec. 13, 2024, at Heritage Woods Senior Living in Winston-Salem.

• Mr. Jimmie Lee Swaim Jr., 66, passed away on Dec. 13, 2024, at Trellis Supportive Care in Winston-Salem.

• Kermit Swain Parrish Jr., 91, passed away into God’s graces on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024.

• Kevin Nathan Haggard, 47, passed away on Dec. 12, 2024, at Forsyth Medical Center.

• Donald “Don” Frank Huff, 72, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, at Kate B. Reynolds Hospice home surrounded by his family.

• Roberta Stewart DeLay Smith, 89, passed away Dec. 11, 2024.

• Gladys Carol Blakely Davis, 81, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024.

• Mrs. Betty Grey Beauchamp Pardue, 87, of Advance passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024.

• Robert Eugene Hudgins, 72, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024.

• Mrs. Frances Jewel Darby Edwards, 81, of Clemmons passed away Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024, at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center after a brief illness.

• Mrs. Bobbie Lenora Boaz Lawson, 94, passed away on Dec. 10, 2024, at Creekside Terrace Senior Living Home.

• James “Jim” Oliver Matthews Jr., 75, passed away peacefully Dec. 10, 2024 at Forsyth Hospital in Winston-Salem.

• Mrs. Peggy Waggoner Sisk, 97, passed away Dec. 9, 2024, at her home surrounded by her loving family.

• Sandra “Sandy” Tufo, 66, passed away on Dec. 9, 2024.

• Billie L. “Bill” Bailey, 82, passed away Dec. 8, 2024, at Forsyth Medical Center surrounded by his family.

• Ms. Doris Marie Tuttle Ziglar Drake, 93, went to be with the Lord on Dec. 8, 2024, at Village Care of King.

• Richard Raymond Robbins, 82, passed away peacefully on Dec. 8, 2024. 

• Robert “Bob” J. Jones, 81, died at his home Dec. 7, 2024.

• Ms. Claudia “Kay” Lawson Bonds, 71, passed away Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024.

• Darris Roger Moore, 82, passed away Dec. 7, 2024.

• Margaret Estelle Bodford Howerton, 93, passed away Friday, Dec. 6, 2024.

• John Albert Lee Cyrus Patton, 74, passed away Dec. 8, 2024.

• Gregory Alan Hill, 65,  passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024.