John Edmond Bechtold

11/11/1924 – 08/08/2015 Dr. John Edmond Bechtold, 90, of Advance, passed away Saturday, August 8, 2015 at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home. He was born on November 11, 1924 in Belleville, IL to Marguerite Geissler and Edmund Bechtold. Dr. Bechtold was a member of Clemmons Presbyterian Church. He was a medical doctor who practiced for many years in West Palm Beach, FL. Following retirement, he and his wife traveled the country for 10 years in an RV. He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Evelyn Surles Bechtold, and one brother, Louis Bechtold. Surviving are two sons, Dr. Robert Bechtold and wife, Dr. Judy Brunso-Bechtold, Dr. William Bechtold and wife, Dr. Sandra Whaley; two grandchildren, Kressa Sieren and husband Jeffrey, Shane Bechtold and wife, Kyli; two great-grandchildren, Callie Sieren and Caleb Bechtold; one brother, David Bechtold and wife, Dottie Barker-Bechtold. A memorial service was held Saturday, August 15, 2015 at Bermuda Village Retirement Center with Dr. William Hoyle officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home, 101 Hospice Ln., Winston-Salem, NC 27103

Janice Wear Lawton

10/26/1929 – 08/11/2015 Janice Wear Lawton, 85, of Bermuda Run, NC, died at Kate B. Reynolds Hospice House. Born October 26, 1929 in Winston-Salem, NC, she was a lifetime member of New Philadelphia Moravian Church. An active member of the church her great-grandfather was instrumental in establishing over 170 years ago, Janice was asked in the mid 1960’s to reestablish the church’s Senior High Youth Fellowship. With Janice’s natural ability to nurture young adults, the youth fellowship quickly grew from 7 members to over 50 young adults; many who remain active members of the Moravian church today. Throughout her professional career of 58 years, Janice worked first at Piedmont Airlines, then the advertising and healthcare industries. She retired from Martinat Rehab Center of Novant/Forsyth Hospital. Being a proponent for women’s rights, she lobbied for the Equal Rights Amendment, and rose to the position of State President of the Business and Professional Women’s Club of North Carolina in the early 1970’s. Janice was preceded in death by her parents, Frankie Harper Wear and John Brooklyn Wear, her first husband Donald Shupert Kinney, Sr., her son John Wear Kinney, and her granddaughter, Kristen Leah Dodd. She is survived by her loving husband, Robert Howard Lawton of 46 years of Bermuda Run NC, her son Donald Shupert Kinney, Jr. and wife Carolyn Underwood Kinney of Clemmons NC, her daughters Malissa Kinney Bumgarner and husband Mark Richard Bumgarner of Hickory NC, Lucetta Kinney Zaytoun of Raleigh NC and Martha Kinney Dodd of Pheonix AZ, and her son John’s wife Susan Dutton Kinney of Raleigh NC. In addition to her own children Janice accepted Robert’s daughter Debbie Williams and husband Ron Williams of Winston-Salem into her immediate family. Janice is also survived by her beloved 18 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren, who loved their “Ma” dearly. Celebrations of Janice’s life were held on Friday, August 14, 2015 with viewing in the sanctuary at New Philadelphia Moravian Church, 4440 Country Club Road, Winston-Salem, NC. A celebratory service followed. Memorial donations may be made in honor of Janice W. Lawton to New Philadelphia Moravian Church/Music Department.

Mary Frances Hardy McKee

Feb. 19, 1927 – Aug. 11, 2015 Mrs. Mary Frances Hardy McKee, 88, passed away on Tuesday, August 11 at Forsyth Medical Center after a period of declining health. She was born in Surry County on February 19, 1927, a daughter of John Harrison and Eliza Williard Hardy. She was married to James M. McKee on October 3, 1953 and together they were very active in the ministries of First Baptist Church, Winston-Salem and later, after moving to Lewisville, in the ministries of Lewisville Baptist Church. Mrs. McKee was a strong servant/leader and held many positions in the church, including President of the Women’s Missionary Union, Sunday School Teacher, and Vacation Bible School Leader. She and her husband chaperoned many youth groups to Training Union weeks at Ridgecrest and Caswell, sharing with the youth their love for Jesus Christ. She also held several positions in the Pilot Mountain Baptist Association. Mrs. McKee, after graduation from high school, was employed by Security Life and Trust Company, Winston-Salem, NC. She interrupted her career to rear her children and later returned to the work world, first working for and later, owning the Lewisville Furniture Company. She was a gentle, nurturing person who cherished her family, her church and her community and served them faithfully. She was much loved by all who knew her and she will be missed. Mrs. McKee was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, James M, McKee, a son, David R. McKee, two brothers, Paul and Donald Hardy and a sister, Bonnie Norman. She is survived by a daughter, Sally McKee-Brown and husband, Alan, of Blacksburg, VA and a son, John R. McKee and wife, Jane, of Advance, NC. Also surviving are five grandchildren: Geoffrey, Julia, and Joshua McKee and Aliyah and Moriah Brown; one brother, Ralph J. Hardy of Siloam, NC; two sisters, Annie Ruth Johnson of Siloam, NC and Betty Lou Cave of Boonville, NC; and several nieces and nephews. The funeral service, officiated by Dr. George Smith, was held at Lewisville Baptist Church on Saturday, August 15 with burial following in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to Lewisville Baptist Church, 125 Lewisville-Clemmons Road, Lewisville, NC 27023.

Barbara George Wright

Oct. 3, 1941 – Aug. 8, 2015 Barbara George Wright, 73, passed away on Saturday, August 8, 2015 at Forsyth Medical Center, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on October 3, 1941 to Mabel Rhoades George and Elam George in Baltimore, MD. After the loss of her husband at the young age of 36, with 3 daughters and a newborn son, Mom pushed forward and received a bachelors’ degree from Salem College. As a teacher in the Special Education department she loved working with the children; always with a smile on her face, and rhythm in her voice. Mom made an impact on many children and faculty during her 20+ years as an educator in Winston Salem. Mom believed in family and was never judgmental. She was always quick with short life-lesson quotes that usually rhymed in a comical, musical way that put a smile on your face. Even though Alzheimer’s had taken some away from Mom, she continued to give back by always being in good spirits, dancing, talking, and making the most of life. A smile seemed to always be on her face, and we are so thankful for that. A lover of life, family, friends, and laughter, she will be dearly missed by us all. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jimmy Wayne Wright; and a brother, Jim George. She is survived by 4 children, Pam Deaton (Darrell), Debbie Feld (Bob), Christy Mayer (Jeff), and Jimmy Wright (Pam); 7 grandchildren, David, Beth, Will, Zack, Brad, James, and Colin; a brother, David George; sister, Sybil Browning, and many nieces and nephews. A celebration of her life was held Wednesday, August 12, 2015 at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel with Rev. Drew Southern officiating. Interment will follow at Forsyth Memorial Park. Thank you to Mallard Ridge, for providing great care to Mom over the last two years. Memorial donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Association of Western NC, 3800 Shamrock Dr., Charlotte, NC 28215.a