Obituaries for the week of July 29

Published 12:14 am Tuesday, July 27, 2021

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Elizabeth ‘Libby’ Hunter Greene Ebert

Elizabeth “Libby” Hunter Greene Ebert passed away after a long illness on July 21, 2021, surrounded by her family. She was born in Forsyth County on Nov. 26, 1937, to the late Grier Flake Hunter and Frances Lowder Hunter. She graduated from Griffith High in 1956 where she was chief cheerleader and the homecoming queen. Ebert was a striking beauty and broke many a boy’s heart, turning down four marriage proposals including one engagement ring received in the mail. Ebert knew she wanted to be a nurse from a very early age. Her determination led to her graduation from Charlotte Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in 1960 at the top of her class. Ebert went on to work in healthcare for the next 50 years. She had a long career first as a nurse, patient services coordinator and finally retiring as vice president of Total Care of the Carolinas. While Ebert spent her life in the service of others, what she cherished most was time with her family. She was a devoted mother and grandmother. She paused her career to stay at home to raise her children, serving as a scout leader, chaperoning every field trip and baking one million cupcakes. Late in life, she married her high school sweetheart, Jim Ebert, and lived the next seven years making up for lost time. Ebert had a wonderful sense of humor, a deep faith in Jesus Christ and a passion for life. She was preceded in death by her parents, first husband and father of her children, Floyd Greene and sister-in-law, Ellen Hunter. She is survived by her husband, Jim Ebert; brother, Don Hunter of Johnson City, Tennessee; her children, Mark Hunter Greene (Julie) of Oak Island, Lori Greene Smilowitz (Michael) of Harrisonburg, Virginia, and Jennifer Greene Robinson (Bo) of Mooresville; her “bonus” daughters, Jann Shermer (Nelson), Traci Young and Jill Eisel (Dayton), all of Winston-Salem. Ebert is also survived by her grandchildren, Nathan Vick (Emily Jones), Margaret Smilowitz (Steven Cantor), Meghan Seyller (Henry), Jordan Magaña (Markos), Joe, Madeline, and Ethan Robinson; great-grandchildren, Jackson and Audie Seyller and Ari Cantor; many beloved nieces and nephews, cherished friends and church family at First Presbyterian Church in Mooresville and Friedberg Moravian Church in Winston-Salem. The family wishes to extend their deep gratitude to Trellis Supportive Care, Dwayne Smith and Ebert’s devoted caregivers, Stella Abulu, Faith Evbakhare, Odette Allen and Sue Anne Spores. To know Ebert was to love her. She is and will be deeply missed. A service to celebrate Ebert’s life will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 27, 2021, at Friedberg Moravian Church, 2178 Friedberg Church Road in Winston-Salem, with Rev. Jimmy Newsome Jr. and Rev. Dan Nelson officiating. Interment will follow at Clemmons Moravian Church Graveyard. The family will receive friends from 10-10:45 a.m. prior to the service in the church parlor. The family will accept flowers or memorial donations may be made to the American Kidney Fund, 11921 Rockville Pike Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20852, American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123, Clemmons Moravian Church, P.O. Box 730, Clemmons, NC 27012, and Friedberg Moravian Church, 2178 Friedberg Church Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27127.  Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel is serving the Ebert family.

James Ronnie Evans

James Ronnie Evans, 73, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, July 21, 2021. Evans was born on March 20, 1948, to Richard N. Evans and Hazel Kimmer Evans in Surry County. Evans attended Boonville High School and was a graduate of Camden Military Academy in Camden, S.C., and attended Surry Community College. He served in the United States Army and was a Purple Heart recipient from his service in Vietnam. Evans retired from R.J. Reynolds in 2003 with 31 years of service. He is survived by his beloved wife of 44 years, Dawn Hall Evans; daughters, Erika Evans Jester (Robbie) and Clarissa Brooke Evans; grandchildren, Preston and Evan Claire Jester; brothers, Verle, Bill and Rayford Evans. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters, Mary Evans Shaw and Nannie Sue Evans Williams. A celebration of his life was held at 2 p.m., Saturday, July 24, 2021, at Lewisville United Methodist Church. The family received friends immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to DAV — Disabled American Veterans, PO Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301, or Lewisville United Methodist Church – 6290 Shallowford Road, Lewisville NC 27023. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.

Karen Lorraine Parker

Karen Lorraine Parker, 69, died from early onset Alzheimer’s on Tuesday, July 20, 2021. Parker was born in St. Louis, Missouri. She retired early from Wachovia Bank due to her illness. Growing up, she sang, acted and was fond of Little Theater. She adored children and always had a special rapport with them. She was a lover of animals, especially birds, and in later life she had a talent for taking photographs at just the right second to take incredible pictures. And she very much disliked the cold weather. When Parker finally had to be placed at Mallard Ridge Memory Care unit, she was so sweet as to try and interact and help with others in the same unit. She was happy when she was there and the staff was very fond of her. Parker was preceded in death by her mother, Lorraine Parker, who helped welcome her into heaven, as well as her Uncle Kelly Corcoran and other family members and friends. Survivors left to cherish her memory are her brothers Keith Parker of Deltona, Florida; Kevin Parker of Winston-Salem; Kerry Parker of East Bend; sister Kathy Parker of Winston-Salem; honorary sister and best friend of 27 years I’Ans Reeder of Clemmons; beloved aunt Dorothy Corcoran of Mount Olive, Illinois; nieces Heather Parker of West Palm Beach, Florida; and Amy Parker of King; nephew Jeff Parker (Sandie) of Berkley, Massachusetts; great-nephews Brandon Parker of  Orlando, Florida; and Gavin Parker of Berkley, Massachusetts; friend Don Clarke of Clemmons; and other loved family members and close friends. The family would like to express its heartfelt thanks to I’Ans Reeder for always being there for Parker and for giving her opportunities of travel and events that she would not have otherwise experienced. These included going to Disneyworld on her 50th birthday, along with a great celebration while she was there. She also visited Renaissance fairs which she thoroughly enjoyed. The family would also like to thank Mallard Ridge Assisted Living for Parker’s care for the last two and a half years. A celebration of life will be held at noon on Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021, at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at 3800 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, N.C. 28215, the Animal Care Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax deductible animal welfare organization located at 11141 Old U.S. Hwy 52 #5, Winston-Salem, NC 27107, or to the Carolina Tiger Rescue at 1940 Hanks Chapel Rd., Pittsboro, N.C. 27312. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.

Earl Bernard Steelman

Earl Bernard Steelman, U.S. Army Ret., 93, passed away on Saturday, July 24, 2021. He was born to Fannie Adams-Steelman and Avery Cleveland Steelman on Sept. 20, 1927, in Yadkin County. As many young men of his day did, he enlisted into the Navy at age 17 but after four years he made the statement, “I wanted back on dry land!” He enlisted next into the Army and enjoyed a successful career there until his retirement on April 1, 1967. He had the opportunity to travel the world via his Navy and Army experiences, which he loved. Upon military retirement, he worked a day job while putting himself through technical school at night. Steelman ran an appliance repair business in Radcliff, Kentucky, for several years and continued to work in that field after his move home to Winston-Salem in 1979. He was multi-talented in all areas of home repair and developed a keen interest in real estate; he co-partnered and developed a small neighborhood in Davie County — Century Butner Place. He enjoyed vegetable gardening, fishing and family beach trips. Steelman was a people person who enjoyed interacting with all. He was a Christian and served admirably his God, family, country, community and friends. He was a devoted husband to his wife, Eva Butner-Steelman, who passed Dec. 20, 2010. Steelman was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Kate Wagoner, Alice Todd, Esther Queen, Wilson Steelman, William Steelman, Mary Steelman, Gladys Veach, Francis Steelman, AC Steelman Jr, and Lumbia Brewer. He is survived by his daughter, Angela Steelman-Urlaub (Roger) and grandsons Joshua Urlaub, Zachary Urlaub (Dr. Uyen Dinh) and Noah Urlaub (Dr. Lilian Berridi). Also, a much loved brother, Bob Steelman (Jackie Biggerstaff-Steelman) and many beloved nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, July 30, 2021, at Westlawn Gardens of Memory with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com. Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” — Luke 23:43