Obituaries for the week of April 29

Published 12:08 am Tuesday, April 27, 2021

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Holly Diane Deitz

Mrs. Holly Diane Deitz, 74, of Mocksville, passed away April 18, 2021, at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home. She was born Sept. 2, 1946, to Roy Benjamin and Joye Dowd Jones. Deitz was a faithful member of Green Meadows Baptist Church. She had a quickly recognizable sense of humor, sense of commitment, heart for children and love for Jesus. These traits made her the strength of our family, a good friend, a fruitful teacher and an unashamed follower of Jesus Christ.

Deitz was preceded in death by her brother, Ben Jones. Surviving are her husband of 57 years, Joe Deitz; daughters, Joye Furches (Ken) and Carrie Huffman (Buck); son, Joseph Deitz; six grandchildren, Robert Furches (Keri), Elizabeth Wu (Danny), Holly Furches, Jonathan Tise (Leigh), Jacob Huffman and Jordan Huffman; eight great-grandchildren; sister, Judy Keesee (Dave), sister-in-law, Imogene Jones and nephews, William Murdoch and Benjie Jones. A funeral service was held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 24, 2021, at Green Meadows Baptist Church with Pastor Josh Greene and Pastor James Buchanan officiating. Interment followes in the church cemetery. The family received friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday, April 23, 2021 at the church.

Cathy Ann Eaves

Mrs. Cathy Ann Eaves, 66, of Clemmons, left the earth suddenly on April 22, 2021. She was born in Surry County on Aug. 28, 1954, to the late Herman Sebert and Opal Simmons Atkins. Eaves was an artist and had a flair for decorating and creating beautiful floral arrangements. She was a member of Pinedale Christian Church. She was loved by all and will be deeply missed. Eaves is survived by her husband, John Eaves; daughter, Tammy Lugin (Jake); stepson, Matt Eaves; sisters, Jonia Widener (Jeff), Nancy Thornton, Gaye Kelley (Jim); her most loved grandchildren, McKenzie and Genevieve Lugin and Dalton Eaves; and her beloved dog, Sienna, who belonged to her son Chris Muse. She lost Chris on Jan. 7, 2019 and has missed him very much. A service to celebrate Eaves’ life was held at Pinedale Christian Church on Monday, April 26, 2021, at 11 a.m. with Rev. Bill McKenzie and Rev. Matthew Sink officiating. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Pinedale Christian Church Missions, 3395 Peters Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem, NC 27127 or The American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123. Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel is serving the Eaves family. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com .

Gordon Hendrix

Successful business entrepreneur Gordon Hendrix of Hendrix Enterprises passed away peacefully March 18, 2021. Hendrix was a staple of Clemmons, not just because he leased and owned numerous properties in Clemmons and Lewisville, but also because he was a man of noble character. Hendrix was  born to Gordon Cephis Hendrix Sr. and Dora Wyatt Hendrix in Sparta on Jan. 1, 1937. Hendrix did not need schooling, though, in order to learn the ways of the world. He realized he could cut some extra pine clippings and sell those for extra cash. He saved all of that money and bought a cow at 10 years old. The first night the cow came to the farm, she had twin calves. It seemed Hendrix had bought the metaphorical golden goose. Now, he, had three cows to milk for the price of one. Tenth grade was the final grade Hendrix completed in school. He then accepted a job at a General Motors plant making $100 a week. Later, he applied for a job at the Pennsylvania Railroad and became a conductor. Back in the mountains of Sparta, Hendrix found work with his brother who owned a hardware store. It was at church with his parents, however that he met his wife, Judith. Hendrix moved to Galax and began working at Galax Plumbing and Heating. In 1967, he came to Winston-Salem to start his own plumbing business. He quickly was able to procure jobs by bidding competitively. As a result, he began working on schools, the YMCA in Lexington, hospitals, jails, and churches. Other good things came by his way during this busy season. His son, Craig, was born. After a time, Hendrix decided to build. He built Bay Meadow Apartments in Clemmons. When Hendrix rented 10 apartments, he would build 10 more. A friend approached Hendrix about building apartments in Lewisville. Together they built Brookway West. It was also Hendrix who built the Bronze Building in Clemmons and the row of offices located near the current 2520 restaurant. He was also responsible for naming the streets that were on or around his development. one unusual street name was Cephis. Many in Clemmons may not know that Cephis was Hendrix’s middle name. He treated all of his tenants like family. Some tenants have rented out space from Hendrix for more than 40 years. Over the years, Hendrix has donated to many causes and has an array of certificates of gratitude on his wall to reflect his philanthropy. From the heart association, politicians and helping those with cancer, Hendrix donated to an abundant number of good causes. Surviving is sister Virginia Whetzler (Bob), son Craig (Anita), grandchildren Andrew Kakouras Alexandra and Hunter; great-grandchildren Annaliese and Dalton Koester. Preceded in death are brothers Clarence, Lenord, Ralph and Clive, sisters Eva, Ruby, Nina, Maxine, Wanita and Ruth, and daughter Teresa Kim Hendrix Kakouras. A graveside service outdoors was held Sunday, April 25, at 2 p.m. at Mountain View Church, 3106 Mountain View Road in Glade Valley. Friends wishing to make a donation can obtain flowers at Sparta Florist on 65 East Doughton Street, Sparta, NC 28675. Family and guests fellowshipped following the service at Hendrix’s vacation home located at 232 St. Andrews Drive in Olde Beau Estates in Roaring Gap.

Martin Alexander ‘Alex’ McGilvary

Mr. Martin Alexander “Alex” McGilvary, 61, passed away Wednesday, April 21, 2021. He was born Nov. 17, 1959, in Forsyth County to the late Ernest and Dayle Thagard McGilvary. McGilvary was a senior geologist and president of CSM Environmental, PLLC. He is survived by his wife, Angela Huffman McGilvary; sons, Mike McGilvary (Kelly) and Adam McGilvary; granddaughter, Waverly McGilvary; brother, Larry McGilvary and sister, Alice McGilvary. He also will be missed by his closest friends Ronald Shaver, Michael Wright, Rick Garrett and Jim Stroud. He worked closely with the Forsyth Gem and Mineral Club for many years and he thought of them as family. Throughout the many years of being a professional geologist, he made many other close friends with business contacts and clients. A private family funeral service will be conducted at Hayworth-Miller Kinderton Chapel. Burial will follow in Westlawn Gardens of Memory. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com .

Michael Stephen Williams

Michael Stephen Williams, 59, of Clemmons, passed away on April 20, 2021, at his home.

Williams was born on Nov. 3, 1961, in Pensacola, Florida, the son of Ronald Eugene and Margaret Sue Wood Williams. He graduated from West Forsyth High School, Randolph Technical Community College and High Point University. He was a graphic artist in his early career and later worked with his father in the family business, owning two Tinderbox stores. He experienced a call to the ministry and attended Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, but felt led to bring people to Christ by precept and example, living a life of faithfulness, rather than as a minister. He completed his education with a bachelor’s degree in history, which remained one of his life’s passions. He used his expertise with tobacco products in his last years working as a Territory sales manager for Swedish Match, North America.

Williams’ life revolved around his family and he never missed an opportunity to make them feel adored. He was a devoted and very loving father, active with his sons Eric and John serving The Boy Scouts of America as Scoutmaster, Northwest Forsyth Little League as coach and president, and very involved with their soccer, baseball, recreational hockey and gaming interests. He took every chance to create adventures with his sons to experience music, movies, fishing and gardening. He and his wife, Laurie, enjoyed time together at concerts of all genres of music, cooking classes, beer- and scotch-tasting classes, minor league hockey games, and together they became serious fans of the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes. Williams was the kind of man who would take homeless people to lunch, share hilarious social media memes with friends in need of cheering, and stand in the cold rain if it meant someone else didn’t have to. He was an artistic, creative, kind, empathic, passionate gentleman who cared deeply for all people and took full advantage of any opportunity to talk to anyone he met about his faith and occasionally his politics. He loved truth, loved his family, and loved God.

Williams was predeceased by his father-in-law, Denver Hartford Lennon Jr. of Greensboro. Williams is survived by his high-school sweetheart, best friend and wife of 33 years, Laurie Lennon Williams; sons Eric Michael Williams and John Stephen Williams of Clemmons; parents, Ronald Eugene and Margaret Sue Wood Williams of Pfafftown; sister Rhonda Williams Murray (Jay) of Monroe; mother-in-law Joan Paisley Lennon of Asheville; step-mother-in-law Laura Gaither Lennon of Greensboro: sister-in-law Kelly Lennon Belcher (Philip) of Asheville; brother-in-law David Michael Lennon (Laura) of Raleigh; nieces and nephews Owen Hartford Belcher (Olga) of Kansas City; Kera Paisley Belcher of Charlotte; Houston Jacob Hawfield of Monroe; Hannah Grace Murray of Monroe; Jack Hartford Lennon and Josie Olivia Lennon of Raleigh.

A private service is planned through Hayworth-Miller of Lewisville at Westlawn Memorial Gardens in the coming days. A celebration of life event will be held in early summer to include those unable to attend due to current restrictions.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Clemmons Food Pantry, Habitat for Humanity, The Make-a-Wish Foundation, or a church/mission program of your choosing.