Obituaries for the week of July 28

Published 12:47 am Tuesday, July 26, 2022

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Josephine ‘Jo’ M. Alexander

Josephine ‘Jo’ M. Alexander passed away on July 19, 2022. She was born on Aug. 12, 1934. Jo was a lifelong homemaker who loved gardening, traveling, genealogy, sewing, cooking and baking.

She was predeceased by her parents, William Melton and Lauree Frances Moore and sister Billie Frances Burton.

Left to cherish Jo’s memory are her husband of 68 years, Glenn Alexander of the home; daughter Susan Pack (Bill) of Lewisville; son David (Kim) of Clemmons; daughter Amy Essex (Jay) of Winston-Salem; along with six grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Jo will also be greatly missed by all the dear friends she made during her many years of motorhome travels with Glenn.

A private memorial service will be held at Westlawn Gardens of Memory in Clemmons at a future date and time.

The family thanks the the staff and nurses at Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home for the loving care Jo received from them and asks that in lieu of flowers, a memorial gift to this organization be considered.

Fay Elizabeth Williams Ball

Mrs. Fay Elizabeth Williams Ball, 84, of Clemmons passed away Sunday, July 17, 2022. She was born Dec. 6, 1937, in Forsyth County to the late William Howard Williams and Brady Lou Harris Williams. She is preceded in death by her husband, Archie David Ball. Surviving are her daughter, Deena Blanton (Al) of Clemmons; and son, David Ball (Ronda) also of Clemmons; grandchildren, Emily Fletcher (Jessie) and Cole Sealey; sister, Bonnie Baker (Keny); and brother, Roy Williams. A funeral service was held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, July 22, 2022, at Pinedale Christian Church by Pastors Bill McKenzie and Danny Spainhour. Burial followed in Parklawn Memorial Park. The family received friends from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, July 21, 2022, at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.

Hoyt Nelson Dorsett

Hoyt Nelson Dorsett of Bermuda Run, 74, passed away peacefully on July 20, 2022. He was born in Asheboro on Nov. 13, 1947, to the late Lester and Annie (Pickett) Dorsett. Hoyt is survived by his wife of 52 years, Linda Tysor Dorsett; daughter Leeanne Milks (Rick); son, Adam (Susan); and his adored grandchildren, Peyton Milks, Bailey Anne Milks, Elizabeth Dorsett and Alex Dorsett. He is also survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Earlene and John Ferguson and sister-in-law, Joanne Haywood, as well as several nieces and nephews.
Hoyt was raised in Asheboro and attended Asheboro High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and accounting in 1970 from Greensboro College. During his college years, Hoyt worked at Wachovia Bank. After graduation, he began work at NCR Corporation in the financial systems division. Hoyt worked at NCR for 36 years in sales and management. He helped develop and sell the first check imaging system in the United States. Hoyt truly had the gift of sales, achieving his quota 24 of 28 years. Hoyt retired from NCR Corporation in 2004. Hoyt proudly served in the National Guard for six years.
Hoyt was a member of Bethlehem United Methodist Church, volunteering as a trustee, the finance chair, and cooking for the Good Neighbor BBQ fundraiser. Hoyt served on the board of the Davie Community Foundation. To know Hoyt was to know his servant’s heart. Hoyt enjoyed offshore fishing and boating at the beach. He was an avid gun collector and enjoyed pheasant hunting in South Dakota. Hoyt loved traveling, gardening, researching stocks and spending time with his family.
A funeral service was held at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 23, 2022, at Bethlehem United Methodist Church with Dr. Suzanne G. Michael officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery. The family received friends immediately following the burial in the church fellowship hall.
In memory of Hoyt, the family invites you to support the American Red Cross by participating in a blood drive at Bethlehem United Methodist Church on Aug. 18, 2022. Please use this link to make an appointment to donate: http://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=BethlehemUMC.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Good Neighbor Fund at Bethlehem United Methodist Church, 321 Redland Road, Advance NC 27006 or The Effie Ruth Dorsett Scholarship, Davie Community Foundation, PO Box 546, Mocksville, NC 27028.

Shirly Anne Winburn Harris

Ms. Shirly Anne Winburn Harris, 79, of Lewisville went to be with her Lord on Tuesday, July 19, 2022. She was born on July 13, 1943, in Joplin, Missouri, to the late Elbridge Park Winburn and Lorraine Bondo Winburn. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by the father of her children and husband of 21 years, John Grayson Harris. Shirly is survived by her daughters, Stephanie Harris Garwood (Clipper) of Mocksville, Melissa Wesley Branch (Taylor) of Lewisville, and Amanda Harris Couch (Matt) of Lewisville; grandchildren, Grayson and Dylan Garwood, Connor, Addison and Dallas Branch, and Georgie Belle and Annie Grayce Couch; and sisters, Sandra Teslow (Ralph) of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Sharon House (Mel) of Edmond, Oklahoma, and Sheila Taylor of Winston-Salem. Shirly’s father worked in retail management which allowed the entire family to live in different cities across the United States as Shirly and her sisters were growing up. Shirly loved to travel around the United States and internationally. She especially enjoyed her time spent in Italy. She loved spending time at the beach whether on a boat or looking for seashells. It was well known how much Shirly loved seafood. Shirly loved horses and enjoyed the time spent with them on her farm in Lewisville and cherished the years living there. Shirly was a talented artist including sculpting, sketching and stained glass. She was also a talented cook and baker, famous for her key lime pies and white wine cake, which she loved to share. Shirly was a devoted, tender and compassionate mother, loving Nana to her grandchildren and precious sister. To know her was to love her. She touched everyone she met, both physically and emotionally. Shirly retired from the Yadkin County School System after 18 years. She served Forbush High School, where she taught special needs students one on one. A service to celebrate Shirly’s life was held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 23, 2022, at College Park Baptist Church with Dr. Mark Harris and Rev. Ramon Smith officiating. The family received friends following the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Mountain Valley Hospice & Palliative Care, www.mtnvalleyhospice.org/ways-to-give/donate/. Hayworth-Miller Lewisville Chapel is serving the Harris family.

Irvin Albert Johnson Sr.

Mr. Irvin Albert Johnson Sr., 73, passed away Saturday, July 23, 2022, at Trinity Elms. He was born in Forsyth County to the late Irvin Junior Johnson and Ruth Hartley Johnson on Nov. 2, 1948. He was of Baptist faith and worked and retired as an electrical contractor. Irvin enjoyed motorcycles, going to the beach and fishing. He loved spending time with his family and friends. He adored his furry friend Poppy. Irvin will be greatly missed. He is survived by his children, Tammy Flowers (Jeff), Irvin A. Johnson Jr. (Renee), April Johnson and Brandon Johnson (Ashley); grandchildren, Brittany Lee, Brittany Nicole, Tyler, Kayla, Anthony, Hannah, Gage and Caleb; three great-grandchildren and one on the way; brothers, Tommy Johnson and Randy Johnson; great-aunt, JoAnn Smith; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. A funeral service will be held at 7 p.m., Wednesday, July 27, 2022, at Hayworth-Miller, Lewisville Chapel. The family will receive friends from 5:30-6:50 p.m. before service. Online condolences may be sent to www.hayworth-miller.com.

Carole Katherine ‘Kathy’ Heagy McKnight

Mrs. Carole Katherine “Kathy” Heagy McKnight, 81, passed away Saturday, July 16, 2022, at her home. She was born in Washington, D.C. on March 19, 1941, to the late Irvin R. and Carol Conrad Heagy. Early in life, McKnight attended Sharon United Methodist Church and later attended Center Grove Baptist Church.  She retired from Wachovia Bank with 30 years of service. She loved her dogs and was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and mother-in-law. Preceding her in death was her mother and father, Irvin R. and Carol Conrad Heagy. She is also preceded by her husband, Donald Ray McKnight.  Surviving are her sons, Mike McKnight (Laura) of Pfafftown and Danny McKnight (Jennifer) of Clemmons; grandsons, Jonathan McKnight of Clemmons and Jack McKnight of Pfafftown; and sister, Eleanor “Ellie” Wood of Cleveland, Ohio; she is also survived by several nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held at noon on Saturday, July 23, 2022, at Hayworth-Miller Lewisville Chapel with Rev. Christopher Burcham officiating. The family received friends one hour prior to the service. Burial followed at Westlawn Gardens of Memory. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trellis Supportive Care, 101 Hospice Lane Winston-Salem, NC 27103. The family would like to thank Cynthia Harbin and Axle for their support and loving care for Katherine “Kathy” McKnight.  Also thanks to the Davie Trellis Team of Mocksville for the wonderful support and care they gave to the family and to her.  They were amazing!

Judith Ellingham Nichols

Mrs. Judith Ellingham Nichols, 83, of Clemmons, passed away Friday, July 22, 2022 at home. She was born Oct. 13, 1938, in Forsyth County to the late William Eugene and Mildred Sheek Ellingham. Nichols is survived by her husband, Kenneth E. Nichols; daughters, Jennie Hess (Terry) of Clemmons, Katie Maness of Clemmons, and Mandy Murdock of Cleveland; stepson, Gary Nichols (Carol) of Maryville, Tennessee; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; also surviving is a brother, Wayne Ellingham (Louise) of Tobaccoville and a niece, Stephany Ellingham and nephew, Christopher Ellingham. She was a member of Union Hill Baptist Church. Judy graduated from Wake Forest University magna cum laude in biology in 1961. Upon graduation she was employed by Wake Forest University Baptist Hospital in laboratory research specializing in leukemia. She enjoyed painting, sewing and needlework. Nichols was a caretaker of God’s animals and enjoyed cultivating beauty through gardening. She was a gifted pianist, from early years as one of the “Piano Pupils” of Clemmons High School, through years of playing for her church and choir. In later years, she was a volunteer with her gift of piano and song to local assisted-living. A funeral service was held at 2 p.m. Sunday, July 24, 2022, at Union Hill Baptist Church with Rev. Christopher Burcham officiating. Burial followed at the church cemetery. The family would like to share their heartfelt gratitude and love to Kelly Hinsley, a friend who became family for the love and care she has shown to Judy and Ken. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association Western Carolina Chapter, 4600 Park Rd. Suite 250 Charlotte, NC 28209. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.

Shelby Bates Spaugh

Shelby Bates Spaugh passed away on Thursday, July 21, 2022. She was born in Forsyth County on Sept. 10, 1937, to the late Delmont Bates Sr. and Jeanette Allman Bates. Shelby was a 1955 graduate of James A. Gray High School and worked for Wachovia Bank prior to starting her family. She was an excellent seamstress, loved to cross-stitch for hours on end, enjoyed reading, playing cards and board games, especially Pollyanna. Shelby was a member of Yadkin Valley Baptist Church and attended as long as her health permitted. Shelby was predeceased by her parents; son, Kenneth Ray Spaugh; and brother Delmont Bates Jr. Surviving are her husband of 66 years, Carol T. Spaugh; daughter, Denise Speas (Jimmy); and sisters-in-law, Kathy Bates and Mary Lott (Brooks). A graveside service was held on Monday, July 25, 2022, at Westlawn Gardens of Memory in Clemmons by Pastor Ronnie Craddock. “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away,” Revelation 21:4. Memorials may be made to Yadkin Valley Baptist Church, 1324 Yadkin Valley Road, Advance NC 27006 or Trellis Supportive Care, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem NC 27103. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.