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SPRY
Mr. W. Dennie Spry, 88, of Winston-Salem died Sunday, May 28, 2000. Mr. Spry lived a long, healthy, productive and giving life, and passed away peacefully at his home with his family around him. Mr. Spry was the son of Rufus L. Spry and Maggie Foster Spry. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary Thomas Spry; his son, William D. Spry Jr. and his wife, Penny of Winston-Salem; and by his five beloved grandchildren, Brennan, Erin, William, Thomas and Charles. Mr. Spry was predeceased by his daughter, Mary Elizabeth ''Libby'' Spry, whom he dearly loved. He is also survived by his longtime friend and employee, Mary Minor Williams. Mr. Spry was born March 31, 1912, in Cooleemee and lived most of his life in Winston-Salem. He attended Reynolds High School, UNC-Chapel Hill and graduated from the University of North Carolina School of Law. Mr. Spry enjoyed an interesting career in law and business, working all over the world in his private law practice with Spry, Hamrick and Doughton, as general counsel to McLean Trucking Co., and as vice-president and general counsel of Sea Land Inc. in Elizabeth, N.J., in its early years and when it was sold to R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. He later formed Benton-Spry Inc., with his longtime friend, M.C. Benton Jr. and bought Hennis Freight Lines, which they eventually merged into Spector Red Ball Inc., in Chicago. After his retirement from Spector Red Ball, he formed the law practice of Spry & Spry with his son, in 1975. They later merged their practice into Allman, Spry & Humphreys. He continued to practice law at that firm's successor Allman, Spry, Leggett and Crumpler until his death. Mr. Spry was an avid golfer and a longtime member of Forsyth Country Club where he served on the board and as president. He was also a member of the Roaring Gap Club for over 50 years. Mr. Spry was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church where he served on various boards and as an usher for many years. Despite Mr. Spry's many accomplishments, his greatest source of pride was his family. He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. The Wake Forest University Soccer Stadium was named in honor of Mr. Spry in 1996 and a plaque there, written by his son, clearly states the lessons of his life: ''His journey from humble beginnings to a rewarding career as an attorney and corporate executive exemplifies a philosophy to be heeded by all students and athletes who pass this way..... Pursue your dreams steadfastly; Prepare diligently; Compete courageously and fairly; Cherish the experience. '' The family will receive friends at Vogler's on Reynolda Road Tuesday, May 30, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held at11 a.m. Wednesday, May 31, at Centenary United Methodist Church. Burial will be at Forsyth Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Centenary United Methodist Church, 646 W. Fifth St., Winston-Salem, NC 27101; Hospice of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County, 1100-C S. Stratford Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27103 or to the charity of the donor's choice.
TEMPLETON
BOONE -- Mrs. Janie Collins Templeton, 44, of Boone died Sunday, May 28, at Watauga Medical Center in Boone. She was born March 16, 1956, in Jamestown, Guilford County, to Wesley and Joy Dearmin Collins. She graduated from North State Academy in Hickory, in 1974 and Hollins College in Roanoke, Va., in 1978. She was a member of and pre school teacher at First Presbyterian Church in Boone in the First Morning Out program. She was a charter member of Boone Service League. Survivors include her husband, Thomas W. Templeton, two sons, Patrick Templeton and Wesley Templeton, and a daughter, Elizabeth Templeton all of the home; her father and mother, Wesley and Joy Collins of Lenoir; and two brothers, Samuel Collins of Lenoir and Wesley E. Collins Jr. and wife, Anita of Roswell, Ga. She is also survived by a niece and two nephews. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Ernest and Lola Collins and maternal grandparents, Pickney and Topsia Moorefield Dearmin. A memorial service will be conducted at 7 p.m. Wednesday evening at First Presbyterian Church in Boone with Dr. Ronald L. Bowie officiating. A reception will follow the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, c/o Julie Carter, First Presbyterian Church, 663 Howard St., Boone, NC 28607. Hampton Funeral Service in Boone is in charge of arrangements.
THOMASON
KERNERSVILLE -- Mr. Robert Lawrence Thomason, 77, a World War II veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps died Saturday night, May 27, 2000. The funeral will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Sedge Garden United Methodist Church. Burial will be in the church cemetery. A pilot retired from Piedmont Airlines and a farmer, Mr. Thomason had lived in Kernersville since the 1950s. He was born in New Bern, the son of the late Katie and Lawrence Thomason. He attended N.C. State University before enlisting in the U.S. Army as a pilot. He began his tour of combat duty in New Guinea in October 1944, flying hundreds of missions in airplanes that included the P-51 Mustang and the P-47 Thunderbolt. His tour followed the war north as Japan was forced back to its home islands. After the Allied victory in the Pacific, he returned to North Carolina. He was the 12th pilot hired by Piedmont Airlines and flew for the company for 30 years. He also pursued a lifelong interest in animal husbandry and horticulture by acquiring and farming land near Kernersville. An avid reader, he immersed himself in the history of World War II and the American West. Often after the family supper, he would read aloud from his favorite books of poetry. He was a Mason and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He argued constantly for duty to country and rule of law. He was preceded in death by a son, Edward. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Betty of the home; sons, Robert, of Washington, Bonner and daughter-in-law Marquerite Thomason of Kernersville; daughter Rebecca and son-in-law Jeffery Blackmon of Charlotte; sister Dorothy Bennett; nieces and a nephew of New Bern; and five grandchildren, Robert William, Emily, Kenneth, Jeffery Daniel and Bradley. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Hanes-Lineberry, Pierce Chapel in Kernersville. Memorial contributions may be made to The Special Children's School, 4505 Shattalon Drive, Winston-Salem, NC 27106.
VESTAL
BOONVILLE -- Beulah S. Vestal, 86, of U.S. Hwy. 67 E., passed away on Sunday, May 28, 2000, at Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital. Mrs. Vestal was born on May 20, 1914, in Yadkin County to the late Arthur and Betty Hobson Sizemore. She was co-owner and seamstress of Vestal Fabric Shop for 35 years. She was a member of Boonville Baptist Church and a member of the Daniels Coleman Mission Group with the W.M.U. Mrs. Vestal was preceded in death by her former husband, Robert T. Vestal; one grandson, Charles Gray Brown; and one sister. Survivors include one daughter, Freddie Vestal Brown of Elkin; one son, Donnie (Jean) Vestal of Boonville; two brothers, Roger (Edna) Sizemore and Bruce Sizemore, both of Boonville; three grandchildren, Teresa V. (Darrell) Hobson, Michael (Amy) Vestal, and Craig Brown; six great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 30, at Boonville Baptist Church by the Rev. Larry Thompson. She will lie in state 30 minutes before the service. Burial will follow in Union Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Union Grove Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Lawrence Caudle, 2229 Nebo Road, Boonville, NC 27011. Gentry Family Funeral Service Highway 601 N., Yadkinville is serving the family.
WEAVIL
KERNERSVILLE -- Maurice Glenn Weavil of 786 Weavil Road died Sunday, May 28, at Forsyth Medical Center after a lengthy illness. The funeral will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Kernersville Friends Meeting. Burial will be at Mount Gur Cemetery. Mr. Weavil was born April 14, 1925, in the Sedge Garden community to Z.L. and Sara Carter Weavil. He attended Sedge Garden School and later served in the U.S. Army during World War II where he was decorated with the Purple Heart. He attended Saints Delight Baptist Church as a child and was later a member of Kernersville Friends Meeting. He retired from R.J. Reynolds and until his declining health enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling and square dancing. Mr. Weavil was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Doris Neal; and a brother, Ray Weavil. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Mildred Nelson Weavil of the home; three children, June Cockerham and husband Randy of Tobaccoville, Patty Mabe and husband Johnny of Kernersville and Randy Weavil and wife Marcia of Sedge Garden. He is also survived by his beloved grandchildren, Sara and Erin Mabe, Matthew and Joseph Weavil and James and Joseph Cockerham; and a great-grandchild, Zachary Bryant. Additional surviving family members are his brother, Bill Weavil, and his extended family of in-laws and friends who affectionately knew him as ''Bwana.'' The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Hanes-Lineberry, Pierce Chapel in Kernersville. Memorial contributions may be made to the Kernersville Friends Meeting Building Fund, 320 N. Main St., Kernersville, NC 27284.
GRAY
Mr. Arthur Daniel Gray, Sr., 83, passed away on Saturday, September 25, 1999 at Winston-Salem Rehabilitation and Health Center. Survivors include nine children, Sylvia Rooks of Atlantic City, N.J., Clayton Davis of Folcroft, Pa., twins, Arthur Gray III of Winston-Salem, N.C. and Audrey Robinson of Pleasantville, N.J., Marsha Rooks of Atlantic City, N.J., Cheryl Wiggins of Atlanta, Ga., Norman (Big D.) Saunders of Atlantic City, N.J., Herbert Saunders of Atlantic City, N.J., and Sharon Saunders of Pleasantville, N.J.; long time companion, Mary Saunders of Danville, Va.; a nephew, Charles Tanner of Winston-Salem, N.C.; a niece, Norma Tanner Smith; a great-niece, Natasha of Winston-Salem; grandchildren; great and great-great-grandchildren; two sons-in-law; and many devoted relatives and friends including Marlene Alexander, his final care provider. Funeral services will be conducted at Russell's Funeral Home on Thursday, September 30, 1999 at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be at Evergreen Cemetery. The family visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home. (RUSSELL)
GRIFFIN
Mrs. Jeanette Crawford Griffin was born to Gilbert and Lessie Crawford in Chesterfield County, South Carolina on March 16, 1922. She left South Carolina at an early age and lived most of her life in North Carolina. She attended public schools in Durham, North Carolina before settling in Winston-Salem where she met the love of her life, William Andrew Griffin. William and Jeanette were reunited in heaven with the passing of Jeanette on September 24, 1999. She was a faithful and supportive member of First Baptist Church, although she was not able to attend regularly in recent years due to declining health. Mrs. Griffin retired from Medical Park Hospital after 30 years of service in local hospitals. Left to cherish her memory are her son and daughter-in-law, William and Loreen Griffin of Albuquerque, New Mexico; a daughter, Phyllis Griffin Walker of Winston-Salem, North Carolina; a daughter and son-in-law, Charles and Deve' Griffin Davis also of Winston-Salem; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a host of relatives and friends including devoted neighbors, James and Alice Cason. Funeral services will be conducted on Thursday, September 30, 1999 at 2:00 p.m. from the First Baptist Church with Reverend Wendell A. Johnson officiating. Interment will be in the Piedmont Memorial Gardens. The family visitation will be from 1:30 until 2:00 p.m. on Thursday at the church. (RUSSELL)
GROCE
YADKINVILLE -- Mrs. Evelyn Cook Groce, 87, of 4200 Wyo Road, Yadkinville, died Tuesday, September 28, 1999 at Yadkin Nursing Center. She was born August 12, 1912 to the late Robert Lee and Vertie Anderson Cook. She was a retired dairy farmer and grocery store operator. She was a faithful member of Mt. Olive United Methodist Church, was an avid gardener and lover of flowers and enjoyed quilting. She had much concern for and loved her friends and family. Mrs. Groce was a member of Yadkin County Homemakers Extension. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest E. Groce; a granddaughter, Teresa Luann Groce; two sisters, Lottie Bracken and Effie Joyner; and two brothers, Edgar and Jim Cook. Surviving are her son, Elmer (Lillian A.) Groce of 4141 Wyo Road, Yadkinville; six sisters, Coleen Parker of Courtney, Rachel Barnard of Hamptonville, Margaret McCaskill of Charlotte, Cleo Steelman of Statesville, Martha Osterhout of Charlotte, and Mary Lee Adams of Charlotte; two brothers, Charles F. Cook of Advance and Robert Cook of Mocksville; one grandson, Tim Groce of Yadkinville; and a very special niece, Ruth Sidbury of Jacksonville, Fla. Funeral Services will be held Thursday, September 29, 1999 at 2:00 p.m. at Mt. Olive United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Mt. Olive United Methodist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday, September 28, 1999 from 7-9 p.m. at Mackie-Gentry Funeral Home, Yadkinville.
HAWKINS
WALKERTOWN -- Mrs. Lillie Belle Tuttle Hawkins, 66, of 5065 Klondike Rd., died Tuesday, Sept. 28, 1999 at Wake Forest University/Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem after a period of declining health. Mrs. Hawkins was born in Stokes County on January 11, 1933 the daughter of the late Coy Jefferson and Della McGee Tuttle. She was a member of Temple Baptist Church in Winston-Salem and had retired from Chatman Manufacturing Co. in Elkin. Mrs. Hawkins was a devoted wife, a loving mother, and a trusted friend and will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Surviving are her husband of 46 years, J.C. Hawkins of the home; one daughter and son-in-law, Joan and Kenneth McClamrock of Winston-Salem; two sons and daughters-in-law, Tommy and Susan Hawkins of Pfafftown and Glenn and Angie Hawkins of Kernersville; six grandchildren, Christopher, Shanna, Amber, Kathryn, Zachary, and Adam; one sister, Mrs. Mary Heath of Walnut Cove; and two brothers, Harold Tuttle of Madison and Roy Tuttle of Walnut Cove. Mrs. Hawkins was preceded in death by a brother, Billy Tuttle. Funeral services will be conducted 2:00 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 30, 1999 at Hayworth-Miller Chapel in Rural Hall by Rev. Robert Blackburn and Dr. Craig Bowman. Burial will follow in Gardens of Memory in Walkertown. The Hawkins family will receive friends 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home and at other times at their home. Memorials may be made to Cancer Services, Inc., 3175 Maplewood Ave., Winston-Salem, N.C. 27103.
KOONTS
LEXINGTON -- Lacy Ray Koonts, Jr., 75, of West Center St. Ext., Lexington, died Monday, September 27, 1999 at 9:15 p.m. in Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center after a serious illness of two months. Funeral services will be 4:00 p.m. Thursday, September 30, 1999 at Paul's Chapel United Church of Christ where he was a Charter Member. Dr. Richard McDuffie will officiate. Burial will be in Paul's Chapel United Church of Christ Cemetery. Mr. Koonts was born in Davidson County on April 9, 1924 to Lacy Ray Koonts, Sr. and Vaden Everhart Koonts. He was a retired supervisor at Duracell USA, a graduate of Ashemore Business College, and served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II. Surviving are his wife, Sue Shoaf Koonts of the home; two sons, Stan Koonts and wife, Teresa of Winston-Salem and Bobby Koonts and wife, Marsha of Lexington; four grandchildren, Jill Koonts and Mike Koonts both of Lexington, Kelli Koonts of Winston-Salem, and Kendra Garner and husband, Kevin of Farmington; and one grandson, Joshua Garner of Farmington. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at DAVIDSON FUNERAL HOME and other times they will be at the home on West Center St. Ext. Memorials may be made to Paul's Chapel United Church of Christ, 2791 West Center St. Ext., Lexington, N.C. 27295.
