Sally Lakey Smith

Nov. 9, 1931 – Oct. 19, 2015

Ms. Sally Lakey Smith, 83, passed away Monday, October 19, 2015 at Trinity Elms. She was born in Forsyth County on November 9, 1931 to the late Henry Franklin and Lillian Norman Lakey. Ms. Smith was a member of Pfafftown Christian Church. She was a dedicated and loving mother and grandmother and adored her three precious great-grandchildren. Preceding her in death was a son, Jack H. Smith, Jr. Surviving is a daughter, Denise Leonard; two grandchildren, Joshua Hicks and wife, Samantha; Brandon Hicks and wife, Meganne; three great-grandchildren, Ethan, Lucas and Ronin Hicks. A memorial service will be held Thursday, November 5, 2015 at 7 pm at Hayworth-Miller Lewisville Chapel with Rev. Tom Everton officiating. The family will receive friends following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care Center, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, NC 27103.

Robert (Bob) Lee Helton

July 14, 1922 – Oct. 20, 2015

Robert (Bob) Lee Helton, 93, of Bermuda Run, NC passed away quietly after a short illness on October 20, 2015. He was born in Hickory, North Carolina on July 14, 1922 to Ora Bumgarner and Fred Lee Helton. Bob graduated from Lenoir Rhyne College and served in WWII as a Naval Officer, Lt. J.G., in the Pacific Fleet. After the war he married his college sweetheart, Ruth Cloaninger of Charlotte on February 19, 1946. He had a successful career in the insurance industry working in five states. Ultimately he owned his own agency in Clemmons. In retirement Bob and Ruth loved to travel, visiting six of seven continents and family members living around the world. He was an avid reader, classic automobile enthusiast, and loved building and repairing almost anything. He was a member of Kiwanis, he volunteered for many years with Meals on Wheels and served at Medical Park Hospital. Bob was predeceased by his parents, his sister Katherine, his brother Donald and wife Lona. He is survived by his wife Ruth of over 69 years, daughter Linda and husband Phil Martin, a son Robert, Jr. and his wife Lynn, three grandchildren, two great-grandchildren. He was an active member of Augsburg Lutheran Church serving in many leadership roles over the last 47 years. Bob was a nurturing and humble man who served the Lord and loved his family. A memorial service was held Friday, October 23, 2015 at Augsburg Lutheran Church with Dr. Ronald Rinn and Rev. Daniel Pugh officiating. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Augsburg Lutheran Church 845 W. Fifth Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101.

Majora Kunz Gondring

Aug. 22, 1917 – Oct. 15, 2015

Majora Kunz Gondring, Long time Lewisville, NC resident, Majora Kunz Gondring (Jo) passed away on October 15, 2015, two months after her 98th birthday and just 26 days after the death of her beloved husband of 77 years, Augustus Gondring (Jack). She was born August 22, 1917, to Albert and Opal Kunz in New Middletown, Indiana on a farm near the Ohio River. The seventh of thirteen children, she lived there until the family was forced to move after a rabies epidemic devastated the farm. Her father had attended Indiana University, and the family moved to Bloomington to find employment and provide opportunities for education. A fast learner, Jo was double promoted several times in school and graduated from Indiana University in 1937 at the age of 19. She earned a Bachelor Degree in Education, with license to teach Latin, English, and Art. All thirteen children graduated from Indiana University. In 1938 Jo married Jack, who was in Bloomington at the university. They eloped because a married woman was not allowed to teach; World War II changed that. While her husband was overseas during the war, she taught in Indiana and spent time in Greenwood, Mississippi with her older sister. She taught for 36 years in Indiana, Colorado, and Tennessee and obtained a Master degree in Education. She was an enthusiastic and engaging teacher. She was voted teacher of the year numerous times and corresponded with several of her students until her death. After her retirement, she and Jack moved to Lewisville, NC. There she enjoyed time with her family and hosted “Grandma Days” where she baked cookies, read stories, did art projects, and enjoyed music with the grandchildren. Jo loved beauty in all things. She played piano well, painted and created pastel pictures, and read the classics in literature. She cherished her friendships and corresponded with many people. Her family and home were very important to her. She was blest to have lived such a long life surrounded by loved ones and to be able to live in her home until the end. Jo is survived by her children, Tanya Castleman of Melbourne, Australia, and Kim Gondring who lives in Winston-Salem with his wife Kathy; her five grandchildren: Lina, Nicola, Kelley, Stephen, and Philippa; and her six great grandchildren: Niamh, Sam, Rose, Jemima, Audrey, and Alice. She is also survived by three of her siblings: Karlita, Natalie and Bert. Jo’s memorial service was held at the Lewisville Methodist Church on Monday, October 26. She will be buried in the Gondring family plot in Chesterton, Indiana.