Deaths — Jan. 16

Published 12:00 am Thursday, January 16, 2025

Mary Elizabeth Reavis Beck

MOCKSVILLE — Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Reavis Beck, 96, of U.S. Hwy. 601 North, died Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, at her home.

She was born on March 10, 1928, in Davie County, to the late Grady and Phosa Wooten Roberts Reavis.

Mrs. Beck was a member of Bear Creek Baptist Church, where she sang in the church choir for many years. She loved quilting and was a member of Prayers & Squares.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Bruce Bennett Beck; and brothers, Lawrence Reavis and Glen Reavis.

Survivors include two sons, Roger Beck (Caroline) of Mocksville and Ronald Beck (Melissa) of Clemmons; grandchildren, Karrie Schenk (Mark), Amy Robertson (Charles), and Amanda Lambert (Greg); great-grandchildren, Graycie Correll and Carlie Correll; and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service was conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, at Bear Creek Baptist Church. Interment followed in the church cemetery. The family received friends one hour prior to the service at the church.

Memorials may be considered for Bear Creek Baptist Church cemetery fund, 492 Bear Creek Church Road, Mocksville, NC 27028.

Online condolences may be made at www.eatonfuneralservice.com.

Patricia McCall Carlton

Mrs. Patricia McCall Carlton, 79, of Clemmons passed away at her home on Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024. Mrs. Carlton was born in Fayetteville on June 1, 1945, to James Horace McCall and Helen Scott McCall. Patricia was a graduate of Wake Forest University and a member of Shallowford Presbyterian Church. Surviving are her husband, Thomas “Tom” Dale Carlton Sr.; sons, Dale Carlton Jr, (Shaunna), David Carlton, Zachary Carlton (Katie); and grandchildren, Britney Carpenter, Nikolas Carlton, Braeden Carlton and Chandler Carlton. No services are scheduled at this time. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Shallowford Presbyterian Church, 1200 Lewisville-Clemmons Rd., Lewisville, NC 27023.

Delores Mae Garner Kurkowski

Delores Mae Garner Kurkowski went to be with her Lord and Savior on Dec. 16, 2024. She was born on Dec. 24, 1932 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, to the late Lillian Hall Garner and the late Harry Winfield Garner. She is preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Rev. Frederick Ernest Kurkowski; brother, Kenneth E. Garner Sr.; and sister, Sharon Lee Garner Bell. She is survived by her sister, Patricia A. Garner Seachrist (Stanley); brother, Harry James Garner (Linda); sister-in-law, Catherine M. Paparo Garner; and brother-in-law, Marvin William Bell. Delores is also survived by her children, Heather Elizabeth Kurkowski-Wolcott, Sarah Anne Kurkowski Simpson and Michael Ernest Kurkowski (Laura). She also has granddaughters, Kelsey Arianna Simpson, Kaila Marie Wolcott Pickard (Thomas), Taylor Renae Wolcott Jensen (Zachary),  Rebecca Caroline Simpson, and many nieces, nephews and friends who loved her. Delores also leaves behind her beloved and cherished cats, Mama Katz, Sonni, Theo, Puff and Lovey, who provided faithful companionship and comfort to her.

Delores Kurkowski was the wife of a United Church of Christ minister and lived in numerous homes in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Louisiana and North Carolina. Over the years, she enjoyed singing in the choir, teaching Sunday school, tending to the children in the church nursery and was a Girl Scout leader. She also worked several clerical/receptionist jobs, was an expert in shorthand and volunteered at nursing homes. She was also known for her fabulous baked goods at church events.

Memorial services will be held at 3 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, at Parkway United Church of Christ in Winston-Salem, as well as in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, at a later date with her extended family.

The remains of Delores Mae Garner Kurkowski and Frederick Ernest Kurkowski will be laid to final rest in the memorial garden of the Congregational United Church of Christ in Tryon on June 18, 2025. This date would have been their 65th wedding anniversary and their remains will be joined together in everlasting peace.

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the Memorial Fund of Parkway United Church of Christ 1465 Irving St Winston-Salem, NC 27103.

Denise McSweeney

Denise McSweeney, a longtime resident of Lewisville, passed away in hospice on Dec. 14, 2024, following a long illness. She was a cherished wife of 35 years of Alan Haworth, also of Lewisville; a beloved daughter of Richard and Margaret McSweeney of Gig Harbor, Washington, and a dear sister of Diana McSweeney and Deirdre McSweeney of Seattle, Washington.

Denise grew up in Woodmere and Hewlett on Long Island. She was a 1984 magna cum laude graduate of Molloy College School of Nursing in Rockville Centre, New York.

A dedicated career nurse in New York City, Denise worked at Lenox Hill Hospital, New York Cornell Hospital and Visiting Nurse Service of New York, before moving with Alan to Winston-Salem in 1995 and later settling in Lewisville in 2001. She continued working in the field she loved, finishing her career teaching nursing at Forsyth Tech, where she was admired and respected as a gifted instructor by her many students.

Denise was a loyal friend, protector of animals and family historian. A superb cook, she was a master of roast leg of lamb at Easter, Thanksgiving turkey and everything in between. She loved all things Christmas — from old holiday movies watched year after year to old-fashioned music box tunes — and took pride in decorating her home for the season. Her abiding generosity, wise counsel, sense of humor and unforgettable laugh were second to none. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Animal Adoption and Rescue Foundation of Winston-Salem or the scholarship program at Molloy University in her memory. A celebration of her life is planned for spring 2025.

Sharon Arrington Miller

Sharon Arrington Miller, 80, of Bermuda Run passed away peacefully on Jan. 7, 2025, at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home in Winston-Salem. She was born on Oct. 10, 1944, in Englewood, New Jersey, to the late Victor L. and Nann I. Arrington. Sharon graduated from Rahway High School in 1962, and Juniata College in 1966 with a bachelor’s degree. Sharon worked as an educator at Gaullaudet School for the Deaf in Washington, D.C., before focusing on creating a welcoming, loving family home.

Sharon was an avid quilter, needleworker and reader. She often would find herself engrossed in a book until the early hours of the morning. She excelled at avoiding all fruits and vegetables, proving that “an apple a day” may be overrated. Sharon poured herself into others, as a Sunday school teacher, Bible study fellowship group leader and friend to many. She was a fierce advocate for individuals with disabilities, including her beloved daughter, Amy, who was born paralyzed below the waist. The last words Sharon wrote were that she was “thankful and grateful for God’s bountiful blessings” which epitomizes her positive outlook and strong faith.

Preceding her in death are her parents. Surviving is her loving husband of 58 years, Dr. David P. Miller of Bermuda Run; children, Dr. David Miller Jr. (Emily) of Clemmons; and Amy Dulaney (Robert) of Kingsport, Tennessee; granddaughter, Lauren Miller (Ellie) of Seattle, Washington; grandson, Samuel Miller of Waltham, Massachusetts; brother, Victor Arrington  III (Peggy) of Milford, Connecticut, sister, Faith Hart (Budd) of Kingsport, Tennessee; former sister-in-law Judy Miller of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and nephews and nieces, Devin Arrington, Nathan Arrington, Faye Schoenherr, Ariel Hart, Buddy Hart, Katie Hart, Silas Hart, Jon Miller and Timothy Miller.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Salvation Army (https://give.salvationarmyusa.org/) or the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee (https://netfoodbank.org/).

• • •

• Mr. Donald “Don” Holt Faust, 89, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home surrounded by his family.

• Brenda Mendenhall Leonard, 82, passed away peacefully on Jan. 8, 2025, at Grayson Creek Assisted Living.

• Mr. Zachary “Zach” Zane Mathis, 54, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, at Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home. 

• Mr. Tommy Lee Watkins, 83 of Clemmons, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, surrounded by his devoted family. 

• Mrs. Juanita “Judy” Gray Dull, 93, of Clemmons passed away Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, at her home. 

• Lloyd Ray Gossett, 80, passed away Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, at the Durham VA Medical Center. 

• Gregory “Greg” Keith Madison, 61, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, at his residence. 

• Robert Clay Nelson, 85, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025.

• John Nicholas Nigro, 89 passed away peacefully on Jan. 6, 2025, at his home.

• Linda Templeton Wood, 74, went on to be with the Lord on Jan. 6, 2025.