Obituaries for the week of Feb. 3

Published 8:26 pm Monday, January 31, 2022

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Mary Krohto Appleton

Mary Ann Krohto Appleton, 94, of Clemmons passed away on Jan. 28, 2022, at Davie County Medical Center. She was born on Dec. 13, 1927. Appleton is survived by her husband of 73 years, Bernard Appleton; sister, Peggy; two sons; a daughter-in-law; two grandchildren; a grandson in-law; and two great-grandsons. She volunteered for 10 years at Crisis Control and other charitable organizations. She treated everyone with dignity, respect and always tried to do her best for people. She will be dearly missed.

Charles Leonard Cope

Charles Leonard Cope, 75, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022, at Forsyth Medical Center. Cope was born on July 14, 1946, in Forsyth County to the late Clarease “Jacob” Cope and Evie “Jake” Swicegood Cope. Cope graduated from West Forsyth High School where he played football and made the very first touchdown on record at the school in 1964. He worked as an electrician for most of his life, working in both the residential and commercial fields. In addition to his parents, Cope was preceded in death by his wife, Janice Tomlinson Cope (who passed away in September of 2021); and a brother, Larry Cope. Surviving family includes his daughters, Amber Bryant (Chris), Tori Holcomb (Larry) and Tami Mathis; grandchildren, Kenya Cope, Keaton Hudson, Jacob Holcomb (Amy), Jessica Holcomb, Jordan Holcomb and Alexander Scott McRae II; six great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters-in-law, Lowell and Peggy Tomlinson, Bill and Barbara Cornett and Ricky and Teresa Tomlinson; and special friends, Shirley Finger, Jeanette Sneed, Ray Fulk and Carol Hutton. A private family graveside service will be held at a later date, with Rev. Ricky Tomlinson officiating. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.

Joanna ‘Jo’ Lahleet Schenck Foy

Mrs. Joanna “Jo” Lahleet Schenck Foy, 95, went to be with her Lord on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, at Mallard Ridge Assisted Living Facility in Clemmons. She was born in Roanoke, Virginia, to the late Anne Sue Lucas and Joseph Frank Schenck.

Foy was very active in the banking community. She loved the banking industry and worked for Wachovia, NCNB, Forsyth and Southern Community Bank. Her proudest achievement was becoming a branch manager at Forsyth Bank. Everyone could “bank on her friendliness.” Foy was a longtime member of Calvary Baptist Church and Sunday school. While there, she greatly enjoyed serving as a greeter at the visitor’s desk, welcoming first-time visitors, as well as church members to the Sunday services.

Foy was preceded in death by her husband, James B. Foy Sr. She is survived by her daughter, Patricia Susan Collins (Wayne) of Winston-Salem; and son, James “Jim” B. Foy Jr. (June) of Asheville. She also loved her two grand-dogs, Scarlet and Gunner.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022, at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens in Winston-Salem with pastor Al Fausch officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Trellis Supportive Care, 101 Hospice Ln, Winston-Salem, NC 27103, for their devoted care to Foy, or to Calvary Baptist Church, 134 S Peace Haven Rd, Winston-Salem, NC 27104.

Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.

Dorothy Reeves Gainey

Mrs. Dorothy Reeves Gainey, 85, of Clemmons passed away Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022. She was born Sept. 30, 1936, in Forsyth County to Fred and Birdie Fine Reeves. Gainey graduated from Gray High School in 1954. She was a faithful member of Lewisville Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday school. Gainey was preceded in death by her husband, Billie Ray Gainey and sister, Mickey Stoots. Surviving are sons, David Jay Gainey and Stephen Ray Gainey (Carol Lynn); granddaughter, Allison Gainey; sister, Sylvia Parrish; and brother, David Reeves. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022, at Westlawn Gardens of Memory with Rev. David Maynard officiating. There is no stated visitation.

James William Johnsen

James William Johnsen, 77, of Bermuda Run died peacefully on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022, at Novant Medical Center.

Johnsen was born in Richmond, California, on Oct. 7, 1944, the son of the late LaVonne and E. B. Johnsen. He is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Glenna Johnsen, and sons, Rev. Dr. Jeff Johnsen (Kristi), Gregg Johnsen, Doug Johnsen (Jackie), and Eric Johnsen. Fourteen grandchildren adored him, and will carry on his legacy. He is also survived by his sister, Patti Essic (Aaron).

Johnsen and his dad started Clemmons Carpet in 1970. It continues, after 50 years, to be an important part of the community. He was a man of integrity, and treated customers and employees alike with respect. His life was lived with a peace of mind and joy. He and Glenna enjoyed traveling with several flooring companies and developed friendships and wonderful memories through the years. They had visited 47 states.

Golf and bridge were his favorite hobbies. He enjoyed the camaraderie and competition, and being outside on a sunny day with his golf buddies was about as good as it gets. He was proud of his three holes in one and he had the scorecards from when he shot his age. Over 40 years ago, four men from Old Meadowbrook started a bridge group, meeting once a month rotating homes. Every morning, Jim and Glenna discussed how each of them would have played the contract bridge game that was in the paper.

While the boys were growing up, he coached at Southwest Forsyth Little League and was president of Clemmons Cougar basketball. Johnsen was a mentor to numerous young people, and often one would come to visit the store and tell what an influence he had been on their lives. He was an avid Wake Forest Demon Deacon fan who loved attending the basketball and football games with family and friends since the 1970s. He and his family were members of Clemmons United Methodist Church.

A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, at Clemmons United Methodist Church. Please wear a mask.

In lieu of flowers, memorials donations can be made to: Davie Co. EMS, 114D. Slate Drive, Mocksville, NC 27028, Methodist Men’s Scholarship Fund Clemmons UMC at Clemmons UMC, 3700 Clemmons Rd. Clemmons, NC 27012, Mount Pisgah UMC, 2600 Pisgah Church Road, Greensboro, NC 27455.

Robert “Bob” Whittington King Jr.

Mr. Robert “Bob” Whittington King Jr., 85, of Clemmons passed away Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home. He was born April 10, 1936, in Forsyth County to the late Robert Whittington King and Katherine Williams King. King graduated from Hanes High School in 1955 and began his career as a draftsman at Salem Steel. He retired from Carolina Steel as a department manager after 38 years of service. King was a very talented golfer and enjoyed many rounds with his friends and his sons. He got his first and only hole-in-one in 2005. He was an exercise enthusiast and frequented the Jerry Long YMCA for many years. He was always there to support his grandchildren at their youth sporting events and high school music performances. King also was a lover of music and had a whimsical style of playing his ukulele as well as singing his comical rendition of “The Preacher and the Bear,” a song that has been passed down many generations. He is survived by his former wife, Linda King of Winston-Salem; sons, Terry King (Joanne) of Granbury, Texas, and Rich King (Sherri) of Winston-Salem; grandchildren, Cameron, Christopher, Tori and Randi King; great-grandchild, Aspen Grace; and sister, Lynn Jones. A funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, by Pastor Sonny Flowers at Hayworth-Miller Lewisville Chapel. Burial will follow in Forsyth Memorial Park. 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.

Terry Ann Geiyer Nelson

Terry Ann Geiyer Nelson, 70, passed away on Jan. 25, 2022, at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. Nelson was born on May 4, 1951, to Jack Geiyer and Theresa Schmidt Geiyer in the Bronx, N.Y. Nelson had a creative spirit, enjoyed many artistic endeavors, and could crochet and sew beautifully. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family. Nelson was preceded in death by her husband, Michael H. Nelson; mother, Theresa; and sister, Elizabeth. Surviving are her children, Christie Nelson, and Michael P. Nelson; father, Jack Geiyer; and siblings, Donna, Botero, Jack R. Geiyer, Robert Geiyer, Philip Geiyer, Joann Rempe and Judy Carlton. Nelson was well loved by friends and neighbors and will be dearly missed by all. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 4-7 p.m., Friday, Jan. 28, 2022, at Hayworth-Miller Kinderton Chapel. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com

Inessa Avtandilova Sarkisova

Mrs. Inessa Avtandilova Sarkisova, 61, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. She was born Dec. 26, 1960, in Baku, Azerbaijan, to the late Vagarshak Avtandilov and Izabella Avtandilova. Sarkisova was an extremely selfless person, who always put others before herself. She was an active member of Clemmons Presbyterian Church, loved to play the piano, and enjoyed all flowers, especially tulips and peonies. Sarkisova was a very smart and creative individual, and the one who everyone in the family came to for guidance. She is survived by her loving husband, Aleksander Sarkisov; sons, Boris and Matthew Sarkisov; brother, Aleksandr Avtandilov; sister-in-law, Edita Sciortino; mother-in-law, Irina Sarkisov; and aunt, Rima Safarian. A graveside service will be held at noon on Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, at Clemmons Presbyterian Columbarium with Rev. William Hoyle officiating. The family will receive friends following the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Clemmons Presbyterian Church, 3930 Clemmons Road, Clemmons, NC 27012.

Paul Ray Spainhour

Mr. Paul Ray Spainhour, 90, of Lewisville, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. Spainhour was born on March 20, 1931, in Forsyth County to the late James Marvin Spainhour and Flora Dull Spainhour. Spainhour had two careers in his life, the first was being a carpenter and building over 25 homes in and around the Lewisville area and the second being a rural mail carrier for the Lewisville Post Office for 21 years. Spainhour is preceded in death by his first wife, Helen Thomas Spainhour; son, Kenny Spainhour; brothers, James, Fred and Glen; sisters, Mildred, Thelma, Linda and Shirley. Spainhour is survived by his sons, Paul Spainhour Jr. (Patricia), Tony Spainhour (Tammy); daughters, Lynn Treadaway, Joni Parks (Keith), Kim Sink (Jimmy) and Angie Spainhour (Robert Stevens); daughter-in-law, Robin Spainhour; brother, Dallas Spainhour; sister, Lorene Groce (Ralph); 13 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and his second wife, Grace Jennings Phillips Spainhour. A private graveside service was conducted on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022, at Shiloh Lutheran Church Cemetery with Chaplain Patricia Greene officiating. The Spainhour family would like to give a special thanks for the special care from Dr. Terry Hess and his staff and Trellis Supportive Care of Davie County. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trellis Supportive Care of Davie County or to the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.

Julie Beth Nifong Reece Taylor

Julie Beth Nifong Reece Taylor died on Jan. 24, 2022. She was born May 16, 1961 in Winston-Salem to Nancy Ann Pierce and J. Carroll Nifong. She was a radiation therapist for 30 years, treating patients at Forsyth Medical Center and, most recently, teaching the next generation of therapists as a clinical instructor at Forsyth Technical Community College where she was adored by her students.

With Taylor, what you saw is what you got. If you knew her for a moment, you’d know her as joy. If you were lucky enough to know her longer, you’d know her as home. When she wasn’t stirring up trouble with her lifelong friend, Danita, she was holding court on her back porch with anyone who happened to walk in her (unlocked) front door.

Taylor is survived by her daughter, Sarah Beth Reece of Whispering Pines (Richard Charles Roberts), who inherited her mother’s love of critters and a bit of her green thumb, as well as her brother, J. Pierce Nifong of Lewisville; sister, Jaime Carol Gray of Lexington; dearest friend, Danita Doby Flippin; her toothless dog, Candy; and too many plants to name. She’s greeted in heaven by her parents; older sister, Jennifer Ann James; aunt, Judy Carol Pierce; beloved dog, Rosie; and granddog, Henry.

Charles ‘Keith’ Watts

Mr. Charles “Keith” Watts, 65, of Lewisville passed away peacefully Friday, Jan. 28, 2022, at his home after a hard fight with cancer. He was born Jan. 1, 1957, and grew up in Germanton. Watts was a proud veteran who served in the U.S. Navy on Attack Squadron 66, and aircraft carriers U.S.S. Kitty Hawk, U.S.S. Constellation and U.S.S. Eisenhower. He retired as the owner and operator of The Watts Group and Coachlight Candle Factory. Watts is survived by his wife of 45 years, Patty Watts; brothers, Michael Watts (Brenda), Harold Watts and Randall Watts; nieces and nephews, Michael Jr., Candace, Marla, Steven, Cameron and Chezley; and many extended family and friends who loved him. Watts was preceded in death by his parents, Percy and Bernice Watts and one brother, Phillip Lee Watts. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, at Westlawn Gardens of Memory with military honors provided by the VFW Memorial Honor Guard. A celebration of life service will be held at a later date.

Bradley ‘Brad’ Kent Yandell

Mr. Bradley “Brad” Kent Yandell, 56, of Clemmons, passed away on Jan. 24, 2022, at UNC Chapel Hill Cardiac ICU after a very brief and unexpected illness.

Yandell was born Jan. 29, 1965, to Donald and Marie Yandell in Bloomington, Indiana. He was the youngest of six children.  Yandell grew up in Peoria, Illinois, and attended Peoria High School for two years. Yandell moved to Greensboro with his mom and dad in spring of 1981 and graduated from Page High School in Greensboro in 1983.

Yandell had always known that his life goal was to serve as a police officer from an early age. With this in mind, he enlisted in the Air Force in 1983 and served as Security Police 42nd SPS at Loring AFB Maine for four years. While serving in the Air Force, Yandell married and started a family, and moved them back to Greensboro in 1988.

In 1989, Yandell fulfilled his lifelong goal of becoming a police officer with the Winston-Salem Police Department. He rose through the ranks of the police department to the rank of lieutenant and served in various assignments, mostly focused on patrol. Yandell worked rotating shifts on patrol while studying and receiving his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Western Carolina University. Over the years, Yandell trained numerous young officers, and was always an advocate for doing the right thing. He had a way of making sure his opinion and situation assessment were heard loud and clear. Yandell served the community and the Winston-Salem Police Department for 27 years and retired in 2015.

During his seven years of his retirement, Yandell enjoyed golfing, cooking for his family and friends, watching the Food Network, riding his electric bike, bowling, being with his family and traveling in his motorhome with his best friend and wife of 25 years, Carla (Snincsak) Yandell. Yandell was a patriot who cared deeply for the future of our country and for all military and police officers currently serving our community and country.

Yandell was preceded in death by his father from ALS in 2006. He preceded his mother’s passing by one day (Jan. 25, 2022). Yandell is survived by his wife and best friend, Carla (Snincsak) Yandell; children, Stephanie Ware (Brandon), Nicholas, and Erin; grandson, Corbin; siblings, Steve Yandell (Debi), Greg Yandell (Barbara), Kevin Yandell (Cindy), Jeff Yandell (Amanda), Kristi Green (Eddie); and nephews and nieces, Scott, Corey, Jacob, Lindsay, Kelsey, Alinga and Annalisa.

A service to celebrate Yandell’s life will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2022, at Pinedale Christian Church. The family will receive friends from 1-2:15 p.m. prior to the service at the church.

Yandell will be greatly missed and remembered for his huge personality, his love and caring for his family, his love of the beach, The Doors, and cooking for his family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to be made to the ALS Association, NC Chapter, 4 N. Blount St., Suite 200, Raleigh, NC 27601; als.org/north-carolina.  Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel is serving the Yandell family.