R J Reynolds High School                    Winston-Salem, NC    

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  • Ann Burton Sheets Bernard:  Ann passed away on January 23, 2012. We will miss her. Here is her obituary.

    Ann Burton Sheets Bernard Nov. 12, 1939 - Jan. 23, 2012 Mrs. Ann Burton Sheets Bernard, 72, of Winston-Salem, passed away on Monday, January 23, 2012 at Forsyth Medical Center with her loving family at her side.

    Mrs. Bernard was born on November 12, 1939 in Forsyth County to the late John McKaughn Sheets and Madge Elizabeth Burton Sheets. Ann was a lifelong member of Ardmore Baptist Church where she participated and contributed to many different committees. She served as a Deacon, Director of the newborn nursery and was a big contributor to the Senior Citizens Club at Ardmore Baptist Church. Ann and her husband Tom had a passion for art and especially painting. She previously served as the President of the Winston-Salem Craft Guild. Ann and Tom were involved in numerous arts and crafts shows for many years. Ann helped to minister to her church family members who were battling sickness through hand-painted cards that she would send to them. Ann had a love for children and it was shown through her long-time involvement in preschool programs at First Christian Church and Calvary Baptist Church. Mrs. Bernard was also a very proud cancer survivor.

    Preceding Mrs. Bernard in death along with her parents are her grandparents, Samuel Gaston Burton and Addie May "Ackie" Burton, whom she adored dearly. Surviving Mrs. Bernard are her husband, Thomas Bernard, Sr. of the home; a daughter, Debra Johnson (Tim) of Kernersville, NC; a son, Thomas Bernard, Jr. (Davina) of Charlotte, NC; two grandsons, Samuel Paul Johnson and Benjamin Luke Johnson; two sisters, Janet Sheets of Waco, TX and Mary Skipper (John) of Baltimore, MD; one nephew, Aaron Skipper of Baltimore, MD. A funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 27, 2012 at Ardmore Baptist Church with Rev. Christa Warise and Rev. Ty Talton officiating. Burial will follow the service at Forsyth Memorial Park. A visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 26, 2012 at Ardmore Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be sent to Ardmore Baptist Church, 501 Miller St., Winston-Salem, NC 27103. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.
    Published in Winston-Salem Journal

  • Tera Frizzelle Swaim:  Tera passed away on August 10, 2011. We will miss her. Here is her obituary.

    Wilmington, N.C. - Tera Adelaide Frizzelle Swaim, 71, of Wilmington, died August 10, 2011 at the Lower Cape Fear Hospice & Life Care Center in Wilmington, N.C. Born April 18, 1940 in Winston-Salem, she was the daughter of Margaret Strane Frizzelle and Alex Baker Frizzelle. Tera graduated from R.J. Reynolds High School in 1958 and continued her education at Wake Forest University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education in 1962. Tera shared her love of music with students of all ages for forty-five years. She taught band in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County and Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Systems, and in various private schools, including St. John's Lutheran School, St. Leo's Catholic School, and The Summit School, as well as teaching private music lessons in her home. A lifelong advocate of the arts, Tera served on the Symphony Boards in Charlotte, Winston-Salem, and Wilmington, and as an active North Carolina School of the Arts Associate. Tera is survived by her loving husband of forty-eight years, Robert Allen Swaim, of the home; daughter Elizabeth Grace Swaim Redenbaugh (Jamie) of Wilmington; sons Robert Allen Swaim Jr. and Benjamin Armstrong Swaim, both of Wilmington, and Sterling Baker Swaim (Laura) of Winston-Salem; grandchildren Zachary, Austin and Katherine Redenbaugh of Wilmington, and Vivian and Eleanor Swaim of Winston-Salem; and brother, Alex Baker Frizzelle Jr., of Stella, N.C. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 12 at Forsyth Memorial Park with the Reverend Sterling Griggs officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the home of Sterling and Laura Swaim, 818 Austin Lane, Winston-Salem. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011. Salem Funeral Home is assisting the Swaim family. Online condolences may be made through www.salemfh.com.


  • Frankie McGehee Mayer:  Frankie passed away July 18. 2011. We will miss her. Here is her obituary.

    MAYER WINSTON-SALEM - Mary Franklin McGehee Mayer July 4, 1940 - July 18, 2011 Mrs. Mary Franklin McGehee Mayer, 71, formerly of The Oaks at Forsyth, died Monday, July 18, 2011 at The Select Specialty Hospital at Forsyth Medical Center. Born July 4, 1940 in Winston-Salem, she was the daughter of Mary Louise Nading McGehee and William Henry McGehee, Jr.. She received an under graduate degree in education from UNC-Chapel Hill and a Masters degree from UNC-Greensboro. She was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church. Mrs. Mayer was a guidance counselor with the Winston-Salem/ Forsyth County Schools for over 25 years and is a former member of the W-S Symphony Chorale. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Martha McGehee Breeler. Mrs. Mayer is survived by her two sons; Robert Alfred Mayer, III of Winston-Salem; and William Franklin Mayer and wife, Shannon, of Clemmons; five grandchildren: Will, Zack, Brad, Sophia and Katy Mayer: and many cousins. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 22, at Centenary United Methodist Church with Rev. Robert Nations officiating. The family will receive friends in the church parlor after the service. Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor's choice. Salem Funeral Home is assisting the Mayer family. Online condolences may be made through www.salemfh.com.

    Visit Guest Book http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/winstonsalem/guestbook.aspx?n=mary-franklin-mcgehee-mayer&pid=152650447&cid=full

    Published in Winston-Salem Journal from July 20 to July 21, 2011


  • Vance Cordell:  Vance has had an article entitled "Stranded" accepted for publication in the May/June, 2011 edition of Sports Afield magazine. It is about an incident that happened to Vance in a remote area of Alaska back in 1992 (hint:his pilot did not come back for him as planned.....) Catch his article in the magazine which should be on the magazine racks around the last week of April.


  • Jerry Essic:  Lynora Essic, wife of classmate Jerry Essic, has informed us that Jerry passed away on August 15th. His funeral service will be Thursday, August 19th, at 6 PM at Rural Hall Moravian Church, 7939 Broad Street, Rural Hall, NC. Lynora invites visitation at the house any time and also indicated that a barbeque dinner will follow the service.

    The obituary published in the Winston-Salem Journal was as follows:

    ESSIC RURAL HALL - Jerry Norris Essic, 70, of Rural Hall, passed away August 15, 2010 at his residence. He was born June 2, 1940 in Forsyth County to the late Carl Franklin and Flossie Carpenter Essic. Jerry graduated RJ Reynolds Class of 1958 and continued his education for a BA, graduating Wake Forest University in 1962. He also served in the US Army and was a Vietnam Veteran. Survivors include his wife, Lynora Greene Essic; children, Holly (Tom) LaPonte of Lewisville and Tyler Essic of Kernersville; one grandson, Hayden LaPonte. A memorial service will be held at 6:00 p.m., Thursday, August 19 at Rural Hall Moravian Church with Rev. Steve Craver officiating. Visitation to follow in the Fellowship Hall. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Rural Hall Moravian Church Building Fund, 7939 Broad St., Rural Hall, NC 27045 or to Hospice & Palliative Care Center, 101 Hospice Ln, Winston-Salem, NC 27103.

    Guest Book http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/winstonsalem/guestbook.aspx?n=jerry-essic&pid=144779314&cid=full


  • Bob Mayer Sr.:  Bob Mayer Sr.'s many fans are pressing to name the stage at Reynolds Auditorium in his honor. You can read the news article here

  • Bill Robertson:  Bill has written a book about his recovery from a stroke. Here is what Bill writes: "I am pleased to announce the publication of my book " SHADOWBOXING: One Man's Inspiring Battle With Stroke Recovery," by William G Robertson. I believe you will find the book to be both entertaining and inspirational. It is also intended to be informative and educational for stroke survivors as well as their families and friends. 
    If you would like to give my book (paperback, 155 pages) a whirl, it can be ordered online at www.booksurge.com or www.amazon.com. Or you may order by calling BookSurge toll-free at 866-308-6235 (request " Customer Service") Thanks!"

  • Sandra Ann Ivey Perkins: Mrs. Sandra Ann Ivey Perkins, 69, died Friday, July 3, 2009 at Forsyth Medical Center. Here is her obituary:
     
    Mrs. Perkins was born October 20, 1940 in Burlington, NC to Paul and Verona McGowan Ivey. She worked for over 26 years for McLean Trucking Company, Integon Insurance and Sara Lee and retired from all three companies. She was of the Baptist faith. 
     
    Surviving is her husband: James Lee Perkins of the home, three children and their spouses: Craig and Margie Perkins, Leigh Ann and James Blackburn, Neal and Angie Perkins, all of Winston-Salem, six grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and one brother: Paul Douglas Ivey, Myrtle Beach, SC. 
     
    Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday at Salem Funeral Home Chapel by Rev. Steve Tilley. Burial will follow in Oaklawn Memorial Gardens. The Family will receive friends from 7 to 9:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.       

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  • Donald Crater:  Don died in late May. Here is his obituary: 
     
    Winston-Salem – Mr. Donald Richard Crater, Sr., 70, died Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at Forsyth Medical Center. He was born February 3, 1939 in Forsyth County to the late James Monroe and Jessie Kimel Crater. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by: James Crater, Jr., Norman Crater, Ruth Goins, Nancy Weaver, Doris Foltz, and Charles Crater. Mr. Crater is survived by his wife, Linda Sheppard Crater of the home; a son, Donald Richard “Rick” Crater, Jr. and Deborah Pierce Crater; two precious grandchildren: Madeline Sophie Crater and Pierce Garland Crater of High Point. He is also survived by two sisters, Evelyn Vickers and Mary Crutchfield; two brothers, Douglas Crater and Marvin Crater, all of Winston-Salem; and several special nieces and nephews. Mr. Crater retired from R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company after 26 years. Visitation will be Thursday, May 28, 2009 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Salem Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Friday, May 29, 2009 at Salem Funeral Home with Rev. Roger Kimball officiating. 
     
    Memorials may be made to Victory Junction Gang, 4500 Adam’s Way, Randleman, NC 27317. 

  • Will Reynolds:  Will Reynolds died on February 18, 2009.  The following is the published obituary: 

    REYNOLDS WINSTON-SALEM - William Neal Reynolds II died peacefully   of natural causes on Wednesday, February 18th, 2009 at Wake   Forest University   Baptist Hospital   in Winston-Salem, NC. Mr. Reynolds was born January 27th,   1940, in Winston-Salem, NC   and raised at Devotion, NC and in Winston-Salem, 20  NC. Mr. Reynolds is predeceased    by his parents, Richard Joshua Reynolds, Jr. and Elizabeth McCaw  Dillard   Reynolds, and four brothers, Richard Joshua Reynolds III, John Dillard    Reynolds, Zachary Taylor Reynolds, and Michael Randolph Reynolds. He  is   survived by his wife of forty years, Sandra Reid Reynolds of the home.    Additional survivors include his daughter Brook Elizabeth Reynolds of  Atlanta, GA, and his   son William Noah Reynolds of Winston-Salem,    NC. Other surviving relatives    of Mr. Reynolds are his brother Patrick Cleveland Reynolds of  Brentwood, CA,   his sister Irene Sabina Reynolds of Emmetten,    Switzerland,    his nieces Lee Reynolds and Kathryn Reynolds, and his nephew John  Reynolds.   

    Mr. Reynolds was educated in public schools and graduated from NC  State    University with a degree in Engineering and Applied Mathematics in  1961. He    served in the Coast Guard and was instrumental in founding Forsyth  Country   Day School in Lewisville, NC.    He was a member of the NC Fisheries Commission and the Tanglewood  Board, and    also provided support for the students in the Neurology Department of  the   Bowman Gray School of Medicine at WFU    Baptist Hospital    by creating an award for outstanding achievement in neurology. His  sincere    love of nature was most profoundly expressed in his efforts to  preserve the    Mitchel l River, which is one of the few remaining outstanding  resource waters    in NC, and in his creation of The Ecology Wildlife Foundation, whose  mission    is to promote ways for living in harmony with nature by supporting  various NC    charities that encourage environmental conservation and education.  

    There will    be a memorial service for family and close friends at The Reynolds  Homestead   in Critz, VA on Saturday, February 21st, at 2:00    p.m. with Pastor Lewis Devlin officiating. Mr. Reynolds loved his  mountain    home at Devotion, NC, where he taught his family to appreciate the  truth and    beauty of the natural world. In lieu of flowers and in honor of his  love of    nature, please consider making a donation in his name to one of the  following    charities: Dan River Basin Association, 413 Church St., Suite 401,  Eden, NC    27288-3243; Carolinas Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation,  "All   for Carolinas Chapter", One Oak Plaza, Suite 308, Asheville, NC 28801;   Director of Undergraduate & Graduate Programs, Fisheries and Wildlife    Sciences Programs, NC State University, Campus Box 7646, Raleigh, NC  27695;   or Surry Community College Foundation, 630 South Main St., Dobson, NC    27017-8432. Salem Funeral & Cremation Service is assisting the  Reynolds   family. Online condolences may be made through www.salemfh.com.    

  • Homer Snow: Homer Snow who has been healthy as a horse has had some good news, then bad news and then more good news.  Around Halloween 2008 he had shingles.  And that is the good news because subsequent test revealed the possibility of lung cancer-- bad news.  Additional tests validated the cancer and just last week Homer’s right lung was removed.  The good news is that the cancer was contained in that lung.  He is home now and doing very well according to classmate and wife, Jackie (Steele) Snow. [Reported by Tommy Smith; posted 1/28/2009]

  • Aurelia Gibson Ruffin: We are sorry to report that Aurelia passed away on the morning of October 31st because of complications from her cancer. Her obituary reads as follows: 

    Aurelia Gibson Ruffin, long-time resident of Wilmington, died on Friday  October 31, 2008 at New Hanover Regional Medical Center after a brief  battle with cancer with some of her family present.  Ms. Ruffin was born in Winston-Salem on December 18th, later moved to  Wilmington and founded a court reporting business in 1975. She retired  in 2000 after a long and successful career and the company carries on  today.  She had a great love of football and is well known to sports fans in  downtown Wilmington.  She is survived by her sister Wanda G. Kurdian and her husband Bob,  Donald F. Shaffner, Jr., his wife Lynne, and their children Lella and  Faith; Daniel B. Shaffner; Peter Browne Ruffin, III and his wife Sandra  Howe Ruffin; Virginia Ruffin Coats, her husband Ralph, their daughter  Eliza and many, many surrogate children. Services will be held on Monday, November 3 at 10 a.m. at Saint James  Episcopal Church in Wilmington.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be made to the  Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation, Salt Lake City, UT or the Lower Cape Fear  Hospice, 2222 S. 17th Street, Wilmington, NC 28401.  Wilmington Burial and Cremation Service, 1535 S. 41st Street Wilmington,  NC 28403. 910.791.9099

  • Steve Calaway:  In early July at the insistence of his wife, Jackie, Steve went to the doctor for a check-up.  While he was having an EKG, he had a big-time heart attack.  He had quad by-passes and a couple of stents.  For a few days it was “touch and go.”  Results of the EKG indicated that he had had 3 or more heart attacks rather recently.  He is now in rehab undergoing physical therapy. Steve is improving daily.   His heart problems are vastly improved, but his current problems involve gout.  He probably will be released in a few days. [Posted 8/6/08. Source: Tommy Smith]

  • 50 Reunion Note from Gay Todd: "The memories will last forever.  I saw classmates whom I have not seen since June 4, 1958 and what a treat!  Please make an effort to attend the 70th birthday celebration (asuming we will have one) and find out for yourselves what a wonderful class we are. You will be amazed by how effortless it is to visit and re-live the wonderful times we had  during our high school years and how fortunate we are to be able to plan  celebrations for future years."

  • Bob Mayer has published a book that is being sold on Amazon.com.  It's called "The Intrigue of the Possible (non-fiction).  You can read the first chapter by going to Amazon and looking at the available excerpts.  One reader wrote "Wow!...well-written and extremely interesting!  I devoured it in a weekend and found it simply fascinating!"  It must have been those RJR English classes!  Take a look.

  • Barbara Mabe Corbett has lived in Waxhaw, NC for about 30 years and has worked at Walkers Drug in Charlotte for 20 years.  Waxhaw is located about 30 miles from Charlotte. She actually lives about 10 miles out of Waxhaw at Cain Creek.  Waxhaw is known for its antiques and for a Civil War re-enactment each year.

  • Mary Ann Poteete Dorsey and husband John moved to Sun City, near Charlotte, last fall to be near their son’s and daughter’s families that include two grandsons and one granddaughter.  They have lived in several states and lived near Washington DC for 15 years.  Mary Ann taught elementary school for several years and while in Washington DC earned a MEd in Reading from George Mason University.

  • Wayne Burton and wife Betty live in Summerville, SC.  We had not realized Wayne was lost until the most recent mailing was returned to sender.  We had been sending information to an address that he moved from 35-40 years ago and the current resident had been throwing it away. Wayne has lived in several states from Florida to Ohio.  He retired 25 years ago, but is actively converting apartments to condos in Summerville.  He says his business in booming which is in sharp contrast to the national news about housing.

  • James Ronald Hitchcock was also located.  James left Reynolds and joined the Navy. The Navy later sent him to Auburn University. In the late 1990’s he retired from the Navy with the rank of Lt. Commander, but as a civilian, continued to handle defense contracts for the Defense Department.  James died in March 2006 and is buried in Arlington Cemetery.  His wife Betty Mae Hitchcock and two adult sons live in Mississippi.

  • Johnny Johnson:  We are sorry to hear that Johnny Johnson died unexpectedly at his home in Winston-Salem on August 27, 2006. [Reported by Tommy Smith with the help of Dub Speight, John Speight's brother 9/03/07]
     

  • FOUND: Noemi Souza Maya Ledbetter: Dub Speight, older brother of classmate John Speight located our classmate Noemi.  Noemi, who now goes by Amy, has lived in Albemarle since 1965.  She married Benjamin Ledbetter, Jr. in 1962 and was widowed in 1977.  Amy has 2 grown daughters who have families and live in the Albemarle area.  Amy graduated from Pfeiffer in 1980 and spent 21 years working in the retail area. [Reported by Tommy Smith 8-22-07]
     

  • FOUND:  Bobby Thomas:  Bobby actually found us while browsing the internet and responded through the missing person section of our web site.  Bobby and his wife Gail live in Keller, TX.  Bobby retired from Progress Energy (Raleigh) in 2004.  His working career was with several utilities, and he has lived all over the US.  He moved to Keller, TX to be near his son.  He also has a daughter who lives in New Fairfield, CT. [Posted 8-22-07]
     

  • Judy Butler Doss:  We are saddened by the news that Mike Doss, husband of classmate Judy Butler Doss died in his sleep of a massive heart attack on March 8, 2007.  Judy and Mike have been married 47 years and have three daughters who live within 45 minutes of Judy.  Judy’s e-mail address and/or phone number is available through Tommy Smith who can reached at   www.htsmith100@aol.com   [Posted 7-13-07]