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Kathy Elaine Doby Freeman

Mrs. Kathy Elaine Doby Freeman, 67, of Mocksville, passed away Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, at Forsyth Medical Center. Freeman was born in Forsyth County to the late Charles Edward Doby and Hazel White Doby on July 25, 1953. She enjoyed traveling to the mountains and being with her family. Freeman loved her husband and her grandchildren. She had a heart of gold and was an angel on Earth. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Michael Doby. Freeman is survived by her husband, Larry “Michael” Freeman; children Johnny Long (Tabitha), Kenneth Long (Jami), Michelle Freeman and Michael Freeman; sisters Betty Myers (Glenn) and Joan Pope (Billy); brothers Charles Doby Jr. (Gwyn) and Kenny Doby (Misty); numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews. A private family memorial service will be held at a later date.

George Robert Krautter

Mr. George Robert Krautter, born Dec. 1, 1951, died at home in August of 2020, after surviving years with serious health problems. Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., his parents were George Henry Krautter and Beatrice Louise (Hart) Krautter Tamm Squires. He attended Admiral Farragut Academy in New Jersey, was a member of the SAR, received a bachelor’s degree from Wagner College in Staten Island, N.Y. and received his master’s degree in toxicology from the University of Kentucky. He worked as a toxicologist for the Brown & Williamson Tobacco Company which merged with R.J. Reynolds.  Krautter retired from Reynolds American in Winston-Salem. He authored several research papers and was instrumental in the development of alternative uses of tobacco. Krautter spent many long hours working in his beloved garden and he enjoyed painting and making stained glass art. He especially doted on his cat. He spent many happy hours at the racetrack with a childhood friend and loved the mountains and the beach, traveling to several Caribbean islands. Krautter was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by a son, David Krautter of Long Beach, California; two sisters, Dr. Marjorie (Krautter) Crandall, of Torrance, California, and Catherine (Krautter) Schmidt of Geneva, Ohio; a stepson, Brian Combs; stepdaughters Sarah Johnson and Katie White; and several Hart, Wyatt, and Krautter cousins of New Jersey and California. He is also survived by a lifetime friend, Vincent Tuohy of Cleveland, Ohio, and an ex-wife, Mary Miller of Lexington, Kentucky, who he continued to stay in touch with and they remained caring friends. No funeral services will be held at the request of the deceased. Donations may be made in Krautter’s memory to a humane society or animal shelter of your choice.  Arrangements are entrusted to Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel, 3315 Silas Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem, NC 27103, 336-765-8181. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.

Betsy Mitchell

Mrs. Betsy Mitchell passed away Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, at her residence surrounded by her children. Elizabeth Ann Baker was born on April 10, 1931, in Chillicothe, Missouri, to Walter L. Baker and Mabel M. Baker. She was declared to be a “Betsy” by her grandmother. She was raised in West Asheville, graduating from Lee Edwards High School and Mars Hill College. She married Henry Davis Mitchell Jr. in 1952. Betsy and Henry raised three children together. Mitchell enjoyed camping with the family in her beloved Blue Ridge Mountains and over much of the East Coast. She later traveled with Henry to Europe, the West Coast, Nova Scotia and Hawaii. At home, she found joy in reading, birdwatching, and gardening. She volunteered, delivering Meals on Wheels with Henry, and was active with the Women’s Fellowship of Pine Grove Methodist Church. Mitchell especially enjoyed hosting the family gatherings for Easter and Thanksgiving, which grew to exceed 50 family members. Each of her 11 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren were able to make the trip home from the hospital with a cap and blanket she knitted. Before arthritis claimed her hands, the blankets were followed with a cross stitch plaque she stitched to commemorate the birth. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister Mary Ellen Shipman; husband Henry Mitchell; and great-grandson Griffen Lail. Mitchell is survived by her daughters, Sandra Swaim (Ric) and Susan Mitchell; son, Dave Mitchell (Susan); grandchildren Nate Swaim (Tina), Seth Swaim (Toni), Matt Swaim (Lauren), Zac Swaim, Michael Mitchell (Anna), Jennifer Lail (Derrick), Kelly Justice (David), Mary Shea Mitchell-Hopmeier, Eli Mitchell-Hopmeier, Zeke Mitchell-Hopmeier, Phoenix Hopmeier-Mitchell; and 18 great-grandchildren. The family wishes to thank Mitchell’s caregivers and the staff of Trellis Hospice for their support and care over the final months. A private family graveside service will be held to celebrate her life and legacy at Pine Grove Methodist Church on Wednesday Sept. 23, 2020, with Rev. Marilyn Weiler officiating. Online condolences may be sent at www.hayworth-miller.com.

Joseph ‘Joe’ Davison Murphy

Mr. Joseph “Joe” Davison Murphy, 88, of Clemmons, passed away Monday, Sept. 14, 2020, at his home. He was born Aug. 24, 1932, in Belfast, Northern Ireland, to Annie Davison Murphy and Francis Joseph Murphy. Murphy was a member of River Oaks Community Church. He retired as a self-employed general contractor. Murphy was employed with Bermuda Run Country Club and was an avid golfer. He loved watching Manchester-United soccer and supported Coach Pat Murphy in all of his volunteer work at West Forsyth High School. Murphy also volunteered at Wake Forest Baptist Health. He was preceded in death by his wife, Janet Strickland Murphy, whom he cared for many years. Surviving are his children, Terry Lee Murphy (Steven Hovey), Patrick D. Murphy, Shawn T. Murphy (Loraine); four grandchildren, Andrew S. Hovey, Michael T. Murphy, Matthew J. Murphy and Darin Murphy; one sister, June Bell; one brother, Francis Murphy (Norah) and many nieces and nephews. A celebration of life service was held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020, at River Oaks Community Church with Pastor David Beaty officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to any West Forsyth High School sports programs. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.

Peggy Jean Freedle Smith

Mrs. Peggy Jean Freedle Smith, 85, of Advance went to be with her Lord and savior on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020. A funeral service was conducted at Yadkin Valley Baptist Church in Advance on at 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21, officiated by Pastor Ronnie Craddock. Burial immediately followed at Westlawn Gardens of Memory in Clemmons. The family received friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Smith was born April 22, 1935, to Clifford Odell Freedle and Ethel Mae Byerly Freedle in Davidson County. She is retired from Medical Park Hospital. Smith was a loving sister, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose memory will be cherished forevermore. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by one sister, Rebecca Byerly Freedle, and one brother, Gary Lyn Freedle. Left to cherish her memory are her loving husband, Willie Gray Smith of Advance; children Linda Dodd of Advance and Terry Smith (Kim) of Clemmons; two grandchildren, Natalie Dodd and Niki Smith; and four great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Bobby Freedle, and sister, Elizabeth Freedle, and three loving aunts, all of Lexington. Online condolences may be made to www.hayworth-miller.com .