Obituaries

Jones

Kernersville- Johnny “Robbie” Robert Jones Jr., 64, passed away on May 17th, 2022, peacefully. Robbie was born February 20, 1958 to Etta Mae Pauline Jones and the late Johnny Robert Jones, Sr. He was a big fan of sports, especially Alabama football, the Dallas Cowboys, and the Braves. When his sons were just boys, he loved to coach their baseball team at Gospel Light. He was a devoted member of Gospel Light Baptist Church for 31 years and was very fond of the Camp Ministry. Robbie was an extremely kind and funny man, who enjoyed telling jokes and making others laugh.
Robbie is preceded in death by his father, Johnny Robert Jones Sr., and brother, Murray “Bruiser” Franklin Jones.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife, Kay Jones, two sons Aaron Jones (Morgan), and Trent Jones, grandson Ian Johnny-Lee Jones, brother Travis Jones (Diane), sisters Theresa Smith (Henry), Edreen Peak (Tony), and Wendy Seawell (Brett) as well as many special nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held 11:00 AM Thursday, May 26, 2022 at Gospel Light Baptist Church with Pastor Tim Hicks, Pastor Gary Blaylock, Pastor Brett Seawell, and Pastor Matt Morrison officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:00- 10:45 AM prior to the service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gospel Light Christian Camp, c/o Gospel Light Baptist Church at 890 Walkertown Guthrie Rd, Winston-Salem, NC 27101.

Jester

MARGARET STEVENS ANDREWS JESTER
Kernersville- Margaret Stevens Jester, age 95, went home to be with her Lord and family on May 19, 2022 at Piney Grove Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
Mom was born May 17, 1927 in Hope Mills, N.C. to the late Daniel Addison and Mary Ella Canady Stevens. Mom was a member of Colfax Baptist Church, where in her early years, she held many positions.
Mom loved working in her flowers. She was always seen watching Jeopardy and you knew not to call her between 7:30 – 8:00 pm because of that. Mom had a special place in her heart for an-imals. She was also an avid reader.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Clyde Andrew Jester, sisters Irene Davis and Eursala McDonald, two nieces and one nephew.
Margaret is survived by her two daughters, Sandy Stewart (Randy) of Stokesdale, N.C., Martha Blizzard (Phillip) of Hickory, N.C.; five sons: Gary Andrews of High Point, N.C., Kenneth An-drews of High Point, N.C., Danny Andrews of Mayodan, N.C., Richard Andrews (Danette) of High Point, N.C., and Morris Andrews (Kathy) of High Point, N.C. Grandchildren: Ashley Trox-ler, Brittney Ney, Kenny Andrews, Steven Andrews, and Samantha Andrews; step-grandchildren Aaron Blizzard, Jessica Poole, Charles Bowman and Brandon Bowman. Ten great-grandchildren, four great great-grandchildren, one nephew and two nieces.
A Funeral Service celebrating mom’s life will be held at 3:00 pm, Monday, May 23, 2022 at Hayworth Miller Kernersville Chapel with Rev. Phil Kirkman officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Ridge United Methodist Church cemetery in Oak Ridge, N.C. The family will receive friends from 2:00 – 2:45 pm prior to the service at the funeral home.
The family would like to thank all of the caretakers of mom, especially Zack (her sweetheart), at Piney Grove Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Hoague

Ruth M. Reardon Hoague, 83, of Winston-Salem, NC passed away at her residence Friday, May 13, 2022.
Ruth was born on June 15, 1938 in Malone, NY. She was the daughter of Earl Floyd Reardon and Cora Mae Lytle Reardon, both deceased. After the passing of her mother at a young age, Ruth was raised by her step-mother, the late Albertine Reardon. She was married to the late James William Hoague, Jr., for 66 years, they were married on February 18, 1956.
Survivors include her three daughters, Theresa L. Hiatt and husband, Dean, Linda S. Chadwick and husband, Michael, and Rebecca L. Stone and husband, Rocky; one son, James A. Hoague and wife, Deborah; thirteen grandchildren; twenty-six great grandchildren; and four great-great grandchildren. In addition to her husband and parents, Ruth was preceded in death by her daughter, Anna M. Long.
Ruth was a homemaker and a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church. She was also a volunteer at the Crisis Control Ministry of Kernersville.
The family will greet friends from 7:00PM to 8:30PM Tuesday, May 17, 2022 at the Pierce-Jefferson Funeral Services Kernersville Chapel with a brief prayer vigil beginning at 7:00PM.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00 AM Wednesday, May 18, 2022 at Holy Cross Catholic Church, Kernersville, NC with Father Jacob Mlakar officiating. Interment will follow at Floral Gardens Park Cemetery, High Point, NC.
Friends and family may view, and sign the guestbook at www.Pierce-JeffersonFuneralService.com
Memorial contributions may be made to the Holy Cross Catholic Church, 616 S. Cherry St., Kernersville, NC 27284 or to the Crisis Control Ministry, Inc., 431 W. Bodenhamer St. Kernersville, NC 27284.

Idol

Kernersville – Mr. Richard Crews Idol, 94, passed away Sunday. May 15, 2022 at Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home. Richard was born February 6, 1928, in Forsyth County to the late Robah Elijah Idol and Alma Crews Idol. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army having served three years in Germany in the First U.S. Infantry Division B. Battery, 7th Field Artillery Battalion. He retired from Lorillard in Greensboro after 31 years of service. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Kernersville Ward.
Richard was preceded in death by one brother, and four sisters.
Surviving are his wife, Patty Idol, daughter, Brenda Pitts, and Sandy Dillon (Danny), son Mitchell Idol, six grandchildren, Lori Englebert, Brandi Davis, Jennifer Pitts, Haley Idol, Autumn, and Lorin, seven great grandchildren, Reed, Rylee, Luke, Liam, Lucia, Keeleigh, and Kaine and many special nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held 2:00 PM Wednesday, May 18, 2022, at Hayworth-Miller Kernersville Chapel. Burial will follow in Mt. Gur Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM prior to the service at the funeral home.

McNeil

Dennis Lee McNeil passed away at his home on May 12, 2022 from a brain tumor at the age of 65. He was born June 12,1956 to the late Ralph Dale McNeil and Coila Foster McNeil in Wilkesboro, NC.
Dennis was one of the kindest people you will ever meet, and he always saw the best in people. One of his frequent quotes was “There is so much good in the worst of us and so much bad in the best of us”. The world would be a better place if we all were a bit more like Dennis. He was happiest being with his family, skiing, riding bikes at Salem Lake and running or walking with his buddies. He was so proud of his children Ross and Kelly and one of his proudest dad moments was when they both received degrees from his alma mater, UNC-CH on the same day.
He worked as a State Farm agent for over 30 years until he reluctantly retired due to his health in Dec. 2021. So many people benefitted from his compassionate and knowledgeable service to them.
Dennis is survived by his wife, Katherine Houfek McNeil; son, Harrison Ross McNeil and wife, Emily of Clemmons, NC; daughter, Kelly Claire McNeil of Philadelphia, PA.; sister, Elizabeth Gail Kirkwood of Winston Salem; first wife, Nancy Smith Hoover of Winston Salem; and many friends, who will all greatly miss him.
No formal service will be conducted but friends and family are invited to celebrate Dennis’ life by coming to walk, run or ride their bike at Salem Lake, Winston Salem, NC at 5pm on June15, 2022. This will be followed by a reception from 6:00-7:00pm at the Salem Lake Marina Center for all of those who wish to gather and remember Dennis doing what he loved. His was a life well lived. May we all strive for such a life.
Memorial donations may be made to any YMCA branch that the donor chooses or The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation.
Friends and family may view, and sign the guestbook at www.Pierce-JeffersonFuneralService.com

Reaf

Oak Ridge- Mrs. Violet Reaf, 85, passed away Tuesday, May 3, 2022, at Moses Cone Hospital after a long struggle with medical issues. She was a member of Union Grove Baptist Church and was originally a native of Pennsylvania but has resided in Oak Ridge for the last 14 years. Violet loved the Lord, was a prayer warrior, loved keeping family connected, and enjoyed her greeting card ministry. She is survived by her beloved husband, Joseph of almost 67 years of marriage. She was well loved by four daughters, Dianne McGinnis (Charles), Linda Russell (Arthur), Sherry Peltz (Dave), and Colleen Foley (Dennis); three grandchildren, Matthew McGinnis, Brian Peltz (Theresa), and Lauren Davis (Marshall), and three great grandchildren, Oliver Peltz, Paisley Davis and Rorey Peltz. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, May 7, 2022, at Union Grove Baptist Church with Rev. Steve Roberson officiating. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to “Under the Bridge” Ministry or Samaritan’s Purse in care of Union Grove Baptist Church, 5424 Union Grove Road, Oak Ridge, NC 27310. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com. Hayworth-Miller Kernersville Chapel is serving the family.

Van Horn

Mrs. Barbara Carol Van Horn, 74, gained blush colored angel wings tinged in glitter on Friday, May 6th, 2022, in the peace of her home and embraced by her loved ones. Her soul joined Earth on October 22nd, 1947, in the small community of Puunene of Maui, Hawaii to Ambrosia Magda-lena Fajardo Lalim Short and Alpha K. Short. Barbara, or “Gigi” as she was referred to by her grandchildren and many others, was a member of the New Journey Fellowship Church and showed her love of the Lord through her dedication and constant presence in the lives of her children and everyone she loved. Barbara enjoyed being around people, so throughout her life she held many different job titles from bank teller to lunch server at the Caleb’s Creek Elemen-tary School. But her most cherished roles were as a mother, wife and Gigi. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Clara “Mom” Short and Roby “Dad” Short; parents, Ambrosia Lalim Short and Alpha Short, and parent-in-laws, Evelyn Van Horn and Jack Van Horn. Souls remain-ing Earthbound are her husband, John Van Horn; two daughters, Sonya Mackovic, and Lisa Brewer; four grandchildren, Brianna Jacobson, Montana Mackovic, Maverick Mackovic, and Chloe Brewer; one great grandchild, Baby Girl “M;” two brothers, Sanford Short, and Kevin Short; two sisters, Karen Short, and Sharon Slowter, and an abundance of nieces, nephews, cous-ins and friends. Anyone who was lucky enough to meet Gigi got to be in the presence of a fiery Filipino that had the ability to communicate any emotion through one look and radiate love through a hug. She was the epitome of our family motto, “I love you more,” and will be missed dearly. A Celebration of Barbara’s Life will be held at 1:00 PM, Friday, May 13, 2022, at Hay-worth-Miller Kernersville Chapel. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 PM Thursday, May 12, 2022, at the funeral home. Memori-als may be made to the Colon Cancer Coalition, 5666 Lincoln Dr., Suite 270, Edina, MN 55436 or donate.coloncancercoalition.org. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com

Venable

Kernersville – Mr. Bobby Leroy Venable passed away May 6, 2022, peacefully at his home. Bobby was born May 15, 1934, in Surry Co. to the late James Fred Venable and Edna Mae Danley.
He was preceded in death by two sisters, Treva Johnson and Christina Venable, three brothers, Ralph, Billy, and J.C. Venable.
Surviving are, his loving wife, Vivian Macy Venable, a daughter, Rhonda West (Gary), one grandson, Matthew Carlyle (Chey), five great grandchildren, Lynlei, Baylei, Kobe, Milly and Oliver Carlyle, two brothers, Roger (Brenda) and Kenneth (Linda) Venable, and two sisters, Geraldine Parnell (Ron) an Sylvia Mangan (Bill).
A service will be held 2:00 PM Monday, May 9, 2022, at Eastlawn Gardens of Memory Mausoleum Chapel with Rev. Terry Venable officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the Mausoleum Chapel. Hayworth-Miller Kernersville Chapel is assisting the Venable family.

Torrey

Kernersville, NC: Julia Mae (Gorsuch) Torrey 84, passed away at Kernersville Medical Center on Sunday, May 1, 2022.
Born May 21, 1937 in Clinton, Massachusetts, daughter to the late Ralph and Catherine (McNamara) Gorsuch. She was raised and educated in Winston Salem, North Carolina. In 1967, she moved to North Andover, Massachusetts until 1970 when she married the late Stanley L. Torrey and moved to Plaistow, NH. In 1987, she and Stan relocated to Kingston until 1999 when she retired from the Public Relations Department at Lucent Technologies and moved to Kernersville.
While living in NH, Mrs. Torrey was a member of the First Baptist Church in Plaistow. When she moved to North Carolina, she and her husband became members of the Union Cross Moravian Church of Winston Salem. She was a past member of the Plaistow Fish and Game Club Ladies Auxiliary and then the Union Cross Moravian Church Ladies Fellowship Circle.
Julia enjoyed traveling with Stan and their trips to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. They spent much time at their summer home on Ossipee Lake, NH. She had a tasteful eye and loved interior decorating. Julia had a green thumb and a beautiful garden. She enjoyed a friendly game of bingo and dominos at Kerner Ridge Assisted Living in Kernersville where she had been a resident for over a year.
Julia is survived by her son, Scott S. Torrey of Epping, NH; two daughters, Sheryl L. Baker and husband, Bruce of Chester, NH, and Penny J. Kaster of Salley, SC; three grandchildren, Mark Baker of Chester, Stephen Skidmore of Austin, AK and Wendy Rice and husband, Ryan of Jonesboro, TN; four great-grandchildren, Annaleigh, Emilyn, Allyson and Bryant; brother, James Gorsuch of Hickory, NC; a sister, Lila Vestal of Kernersville, NC and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by her husband, Stanley L. Torrey; son David L. Torrey; daughter, Catherine E. Lovette; grandson, Daniel B. Baker and son-in-law, Dallas Kaster.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Julia’s Life Celebration to be held on Tuesday, May 17, 2022 from 11:00am to 12:00pm at Brookside Chapel and Funeral Home, 116 Main Street, Plaistow, NH. Her funeral service will follow at 12:15pm in the funeral home. Burial will be in Linwood Cemetery, Haverhill, Mass. The family requests that memorial donations be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116-7023 or to the American Cancer Society P.O. Box 22478 Oklahoma City, OK 73123. To send a message of condolence to the family or to share a cherished memory, please visit brooksidechapelfh.com.

High Point – Shirley Ramona Brown Ball, resident of Arbor Ridge at Kernersville, North Carolina, passed away on May 3, 2022, at Hospice Home of High Point. Shirley was born in High Point, North Carolina on December 14, 1934, daughter of Nellie Gleason Osborne Brown and Steve Daniel Brown. She is predeceased by her parents, her husband of 66 years, Leonard Andrew Ball and brother, Morris Hunter Brown.
Shirley is survived by son, Steve Ball (Glenda), daughter, Lynn Welborn (Darrell), son Mark Ball (Judy), grandchildren, Rebecca Ball, Michael Ball and Andrew Welborn and his fiancé Whitley Glosson, three step-grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, brother Terry Neil Brown, aunt Ronda Rogers, sister-in-law Vernell Lanier, nieces and nephews and special niece Vickie Davis.
Shirley was a creative soul. She leaves behind many beautiful oil paintings, handsewn quilts and handwoven baskets to be treasured by her family. Shirley and Leonard enjoyed camping, especially at the beach and eventually made their home in Shallotte, North Carolina. Upon their return to High Point, and while their health allowed, Shirley and Leonard were active members of Westchester Baptist Church. Dear to her heart was her beloved miniature schnauzer, Loreal (Lolo), so named because “she was worth it.”
The family thanks Dr. Kalsoom Kahn and the staff at the Hayworth Cancer Center at High Point Medical Center, the outstanding staff at Arbor Ridge and Jacqueline Thigpen, AGNP-C.
A graveside service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 8, at Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church Cemetery with Dr. Eric Peacock officiating. The family requests that memorials be directed to Westchester Baptist Church, P.O. Box 5188 High Point, N.C. 27262, or Hospice of the Piedmont, 1801 Eastchester Dr., High Point, NC 27262. Cumby Family Funeral Service in High Point is assisting the family. Condolences may be made through www.cumbyfuneral.com.

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