Obituaries for April 13, 2017

Published 9:33 am Thursday, April 13, 2017

Dallas Gray “Papa” Beckner

Mr. Dallas Gray “Papa” Beckner, 83, of Winston-Salem, passed away and joined his heavenly family on Tuesday, April 4, 2017. He was born on July 9, 1933, in Forsyth County to the late Melvin Sides and Lola Petree Beckner. He attended Clemmons School and was a life-long member of Fraternity Church of the Brethren. Gray served his country during the Korean Conflict as an ambulance driver in the Army from 1953 to 1955. Following his honorable discharge from the military, he worked in furnace repair for Modern Oil and Wachovia Oil Co., retiring after 45 years of service. Upon his retirement, Papa spent many hours at his scroll saw, producing numerous pieces of fretwork that he gifted to family and friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Peggy F. Beckner; step-mother, Virginia Beckner; and brothers, L.J. Beckner and Kenneth Beckner. Mr. Beckner is survived by his son, Keith Beckner and wife, Cheryl of Winston-Salem; two granddaughters, Sarah Giles and husband, Cameron of Winston-Salem and Charlotte Beckner and fiancé, Sean McMullen of Boone, NC; one great-grandson, Parker Giles of Winston-Salem; step-great-grandchildren, Gavin and Liam Giles of Winston-Salem; one sister, Diann Sweet and Fred Hartledge of Winston-Salem; one brother, Henry Beckner of Winston-Salem; two sisters-in-law, Joye Beckner of Winston-Salem and Lynn Beckner of Charlotte, NC; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great-nephews and great-nieces. Funeral services were held on Friday, April 7, 2017, at Fraternity Church of the Brethren with Pastor Paul Stutzman and Pastor Dave Kindy officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery. The family would like to thank the staff of Bermuda Village for their kindness and compassionate care they provided to Papa. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Fraternity Church of the Brethren Cemetery Fund, 3760 Fraternity Church Rd., Winston-Salem, NC 27127. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.

John Rickard

John was born on July 18, 1926, in Burma, where his father served as President of Judson College, University of Rangoon. When the Japanese invaded in World War II, the Rickards and their four sons escaped by walking 150 miles into India before returning to their home in San Francisco. John was a US Army veteran of World War II. He attended Yale University School of Languages and graduated with a Political Science degree from Bucknell University. He married Marjorie Lawler, his college sweetheart, and the family lived in several foreign countries while he served on US Government assignments. After retirement from government service, John accepted a position in International Security with R.J. Reynolds and the family moved to North Carolina. John was blessed with many creative talents, including portrait painting and carpentry. He built a copy of a British 1952 MG sports car which he enjoyed driving around the Winston-Salem area. He had a legendary sense of humor with an endless collection of jokes and stories. Faith and family were John’s most important values. He served as a past chairman of Habitat for Humanity, a mentor in the Big Brothers program, a volunteer at The Arts Enrichment Center and a deacon and Sunday school teacher at the Lewisville Baptist Church. He received two commendations from the city of Winston-Salem for his volunteer service. He is survived by three children: John S. Rickard (Martha), Patricia R. Luthy (John), and Carolyn Rickard-Brideau (Scott); six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. His was a life well-lived in service to others and he will be remembered with love and with a smile. A service to celebrate his life was held at the Lewisville Baptist Church on Saturday, April 8th. Hayworth-Miller Lewisville Chapel is serving the family of Mr. Rickard.

Timothy “Tim” John Moss

Timothy “Tim” John Moss, 69 of Clemmons, NC, loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and friend passed into the loving arms of his Savior on Thursday, April 6, 2017, after a courageous battle with cancer. Tim was born to William and Virginia Moss, Martinsville, VA, on April 30, 1947. He graduated from Drewry Mason High School, Ridgeway, VA, in 1965 and graduated from Lenoir-Rhyne College, Hickory, NC, in 1974. On March 30, 1968, he married his college sweetheart and the love of his life, Carol Ann McKee. They were blessed with a son, Christopher Shane Moss. He honorably served in the United States Air Force. For many years, Tim worked as a financial controller for several corporations. He also served as a volunteer firefighter and EMT for the Clemmons Fire Department. He had a special place in his heart for the fire department and staff and accepted a full-time position in 2000 until his retirement in 2009. He remained very close to his firefighter friends until his death. Tim was a wonderful father and very active in his son’s life. He volunteered as a coach in Optimist Soccer, a leader in the Cub Scouts and served as an Assistant and Scoutmaster for Troop 942 of the Boy Scouts of America. After his loving grandson, Hunter was born, they enjoyed fishing, golfing, and hanging out at the fire station. He was truly a mentor to many. Tim’s love for his Savior was an integral part of his life. He was an active member of Calvary Baptist Church. He and Carol served the Special Ministries Sunday School Class for 25 years until his illness prevented him from attending. His special friends constantly prayed for him and continually kept in touch. Tim was a loving influence in their lives. In His spare time, Tim loved to fish and garden. He and Carol also enjoyed traveling and their special times at the beach. Tim was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Carol. Also, surviving are his son, Christopher Shane Moss and his wife, Jenean, and grandson, Hunter Gaston Moss, of Mocksville, NC. He is also survived by his loving brother Kenneth Charles Moss and his wife Cathy of Bristol, VA. Also, surviving are special in-laws, nieces, nephews, and many friends. A service celebrating Tim’s life was held at Hayworth-Miller Kinderton Chapel, on Monday, April 10, 2017, with Pastor Brian King officiating. Interment will follow at Westlawn Gardens of Memory, Clemmons, NC. Visitation will be from 9:30 am until 10:45 am at the funeral home. The family requests that memorials be made to Special Ministries, Calvary Baptist Church, 5000 Country Club Rd., Winston-Salem, NC 27104 or to the Forsyth Humane Society, 4881 Country Club Rd., Winston-Salem, NC 27104. The family would like to thank the Cancer Center of Forsyth Memorial Hospital for the loving care given to Tim. Tim lived his life with faith, hope, and love and will be forever remembered by his family and friends. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com

Berry, Wilburn (Will) E.

2/16/38 – 4/7/17

Dr. Wilburn (Will) E. Berry Jr., 79, of Clemmons passed away 4-7-17 at Forsyth Medical Center after a brave battle with cancer. He was born in Morganton 2-16-38 to Ruth H. Berry and Wilburn E. Berry, Sr. of Drexel. He received his BS Degree in 1960 from Wake Forest where he was a Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity member. He received his optometric training at Southern College of Optometry in Memphis. He served on The Board of Directors for The NC Eye and Human Tissue Bank with his good friend & founder, Dr. L. B. Holt. He was a member of The American Optometric Association & The NC Optometric Society for over 50 years. He enjoyed history, cooking, music, Wake Forest football & basketball, cars, boats, the beach, family, friends, optometry & his patients. He is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Jane Quinn Berry of Clemmons, his son, Christopher Berry, his wife, Shannon Berry, two grandsons, Scott and Evan Berry of Charlotte, one sister, Elizabeth Woody and her husband, Bill Woody of Drexel. His sense of humor, selflessness and huge heart will be greatly missed but NEVER forgotten. The family will host a private memorial service celebrating his life. Please make memorial contributions to The American Cancer Society by calling 1-800-227-2345 or going to https://donate3.cancer.org/?lang=en.