Salem Funeral Home

Frances Gwinn Wolf died at age 89. She suffered from Alzheimer's, which only became pronounced in the last few months. She was born and grew up in Alderson, W.Va. and graduated in 1958 from Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia. In addition to raising four children, she was a longtime worker in the field of Christian education. That led eventually to her attending seminary starting at the age of 40. She graduated from Wesley Theological Seminary in 1980 and began a career serving several churches in the greater Washington, D.C. area at a time when women in the ministry was new and challenging. She served longest as sole pastor of the Poolesville (Md.) Presbyterian Church from...

Melissa ("Meli") Rabb Rucker died peacefully at home, surrounded by her family, on October 11, 2025. She lived each of her 85 years with dignity and grace. She is preceded in death by Richmond Williston Rucker, her husband of sixty years. She is survived by her daughter Anna Rucker Teague (Dave) of Winston-Salem, her sons Charles Richmond Alexander Rucker (Sara) of Winston-Salem and Jonathan Nettles Rabb Rucker (Karen) of Boulder, Colorado. She is also survived by her grandchildren Sarah Clark Starnes (Kenny) of Winston-Salem, Melissa Clark Taylor (Michael) of Charlotte, John Devlin Clark III (Calvin) of Washington, DC, Andrew Neal Teague of Winston-Salem, Brooke Regan Rucker and Miles...

Marilyn Turner Hedgpeth, 71, had her baptism made complete on July 23, 2025. With deep love and sadness, we celebrate the extraordinary life of Marilyn, who died due to a tragic bicycle accident. She was born December 24, 1953, in Charlotte, NC, to the late Clifton Spencer Turner and Carolyn Cly Reid, the eldest of three siblings. She graduated from Myers Park High School in 1972, and Salem College in 1976, majoring in English. Marilyn and her husband Hedge met as sophomores in college in 1973 and were married at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Charlotte in 1978. Marilyn worked two years for J.A. Jones as a copywriter in the graphics department, and four years as a public relations...

David Stephen "Steve" Seawright passed away on April 19th, 2025 with his family and friends holding him in love. He is survived by Sally, his wife of 58 years, his daughters Stacy Dobbs and Lindsay Peral, sons-in-law Tom Dobbs and Ricardo Peral, and grandchildren Sara, Hannah, Julia, David, and Victor. Born in Charlotte, NC in 1942 to Mabel Farmer and Claude Seawright, Steve was the eldest of two children (sister Anne Seawright). A proud graduate of NC State and Harvard Business School, Steve served in the U.S. Army at the Pentagon before leading his own branch of Clark Construction?Seawright Corporation. He was a pioneer in green building and sustainability, and as President of the...

R. Seth Cheek, 81, passed away on March 13, 2025, in Pfafftown, North Carolina at his home surrounded by family and friends. Born on June 7, 1943, in Elkin, North Carolina, to R. Shirley Cheek and Florence Sparks Cheek. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Edna Martin, Nancy Norton, Shirley Eichenbaum, Judy Hemric, and Larry "Bud" Cheek. Seth is survived by his wife, Sandra S. Cheek; daughters, Heather Albano (Tommy) and Megan Cheek; sisters, Betty Williams, Tommye Logan, Gail Triplett, Phyllis Wagoner and his beloved nephew Wayne Webb. Seth leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and friends. He also leaves behind his buddy OKI. Seth graduated from Jonesville High School in...

Virginia Mims Heglar Alexander Neustadt died in her home in Raleigh on February 19, 2025. Ginger was born in Florence, South Carolina, on August 18, 1939, the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. J.L. Mims. To describe her life as "interesting" is an understatement. "Lives" is the word that better characterizes her 85 years. Her first life was as the daughter of her medical student father and nurse mother, first in South Carolina, then in New Jersey, and ultimately, when he completed his training, in Northern Virginia. Along the way she graduated from George Washington High School in Alexandria and Palmer College School of Business in Charleston. Her own early professional life included working for...

Charles Royce Hough III, 87, of Winston-Salem, NC, passed away following a brief illness on February 14, 2025 surrounded by his three best friends, his sons. Royce was born on November 7, 1937 in Washington, DC, the son of Charles Royce Hough, Jr. and Helen Shaw Hough. He survived polio when he was 10 years old which instilled in him a strength of character and purpose for life and family that he carried with him forever. He graduated as valedictorian from Western High School in 1955. He was also valedictorian of Washington & Lee University, graduating in 1959, where he played lacrosse, earned a BS in Commerce and met the love of his life, Harriet King Houston of Memphis, Tennessee, who...

Olivia Jane Moser-Teel took her life on her 16th birthday, Sunday, January 19, 2025, after a long and courageous battle with mental health challenges. She was a gifted, creative young woman. She put on a brave face, until she could no longer. She was so loved. Olivia was born on January 19, 2009, in Auburn, Washington. Her brother, Tristan, describes her best: "Olivia loved music, especially Taylor Swift. She played instruments: the guitar, electric guitar, piano, ukulele, drums, and more. She also loved to sing. Olivia loved animals, especially horses, donkeys, and dogs. She also loved farms. Olivia got mostly A's and very rarely got any B's. She was on the honor roll at her school and a...

John "Jack" Geier McLeod March 25, 1936 - December 15, 2024. It is with heavy heart that we announce the passing of John "Jack" Geier McLeod, beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. He passed peacefully in his sleep on December 15, 2024, at the age of 88. Jack spent most of his life in Cleveland, Ohio where he attended Gesu, Gilmour Academy, University of Notre Dame and Case Western Reserve University. He was a long time IBM'er and loved raising his family in Cleveland. Upon retirement, Jack and his wife Debbie moved to Wilmington, North Carolina. They enjoyed spending time on Wrightsville Beach and golfing in their home community of Landfall and watching Notre Dame...

FINE, Lucille, on December 7, 2024. Beloved wife of the late Sanford. Devoted mother of Amy and Lawrence (Gail Curtis). Cherished grandmother of Karen Barbash (Alexander Paris), Lia Curtis Fine and Shawn Beard (Ashleigh). Dear sister of Martin Levin (Rochelle). Beloved aunt and cousin. Arrangements through Gutterman's, Inc., Woodbury, NY. Donations to hospice or Hadassah.

Frank Haas, 75, passed away peacefully on November 24, 2024 surrounded by his children and grandchildren. Born and raised on a farm in Scottsboro, Alabama, Frank was the middle of three brothers. His upbringing instilled in him a lifelong love for the outdoors, animals, and the satisfaction of working with his hands. After moving to Winston-Salem, Frank spent over three decades as a dedicated and cherished member of the community. He was actively involved in the Rotary Club, the Boy Scouts, and his church, always ready to lend a hand, share his knowledge, and lead by example. Known for his love of nature, Frank often found solace camping under the stars or riding horses at the family farm...

Claudette Jones Bass, 85, of North Richland Hills, TX (previously of Winston-Salem, NC, Greenville, NC, and Shreveport, LA), passed away on Sunday, November 17th, at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Grapevine, TX. She was born on April 20, 1939, in Centralia, Il, and earned her Bachelor's Degree from Louisiana Tech University. At Louisiana State University Medical Center in Shreveport, LA, she worked alongside Dr. Bettina Hilman, a pioneer in Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis research. In 2007, Claudette retired from the Pitt County Health Department in Greenville, NC, as a Medical Technician. She was a Christian and a member of the Knollwood Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, NC. Preceding...

Gray Thomas Boyette, M.D. died peacefully on Sunday, September 29, following a period of declining health. Gray was born to Louise Davis Boyette and Edgar Thomas Boyette at Mary Elizabeth Hospital in Raleigh on September 23, 1935. Named for his grandfather, he spent his childhood in Wendell, NC, where his father was principal of Wendell School and his mother taught Latin and English. He loved to visit his cousins in Johnston County and Staunton, Virginia, and maintained those relationships throughout his life. Gray always said that he had the best childhood experience imaginable: growing up in a small North Carolina town with love, learning, and self-discipline imbued by his parents and...

Mary Bell Hosie Kolischak passed peacefully at Salemtowne Rehabilitation Center in Winston-Salem after a brief illness on August 28, 2024. She was born on November 16, 1925, in Stranraer, Scotland to James Hosie and Janet Lightbody. She emigrated to Staten Island, NY with her parents at the age of two. Mary attended Pratt Institute and graduated in 1949. During summer break a classmate talked her into volunteering at Trail Blazers Camps, Lake Mashipacong, NJ, where she met her husband to be, Michael. Mary and Michael married in Immanuel Union Church, Staten Island on June 8, 1951. Throughout their marriage, the couple lived in Morris Plains, NJ, Kwajalein, Marshall Islands, finally making...

Mary Bell Hosie Kolischak passed peacefully at Salemtowne Rehabilitation Center in Winston-Salem after a brief illness on August 28, 2024. She was born on November 16, 1925, in Stranraer, Wigtownshire, Scotland to James Hosie and Janet Lightbody. She emigrated to Staten Island, NY with her parents at the age of two. Growing up on Staten Island, Mary walked one mile to P.S. 30 and made many lifelong friends there. One story that she often told was on a Sunday evening, just shy of her 13th birthday, she was attending an event at church when her father rushed in telling her that they needed to leave early and head to the safety of home. That was the night of Orsen Well's infamous radio...

Mrs. Jan Sloop, age 79, of Jonesville, NC, passed away peacefully on Thursday July 4, 2024. Mrs. Sloop was preceded in death by her husband Sammy G. Sloop. Jan was also preceded in death by her adoptive mother, Juanita Pinnix and stepfather, Al Pinnix, her brothers, Warren Shores, Stephen Shores, Billy Shores, Clyde Shores, and Chris Shores. Survivors include daughters, Wendy Darnell of Elkin NC, Lisa (Tim) Alexander of Yadkinville, NC, and Gwen (Robert) Smith of Ronda, NC. Grandchildren, Skylor Darnell and Rianna Darnell. Mrs. Sloop is also survived by several nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Mountain Valley Hospice or your favorite charity. A...

Wayne Lewis, 77, of Winston Salem, NC passed away peacefully at home on June 12, 2024. Wayne is survived by his two loving children, Rob Lewis (Courtney) and Kara Lewis, two prized grandchildren, Cody and Skylar, and his sister Elaine Van Vliet (Al). He also leaves behind innumerable nieces, nephews, cousins and cherished friends, including those from the Midlo Supper Club, College Park Sunday School class, Always a Wolfpacker community, and his tight knit community in Winston Salem. He is preceded in death by his wife Jennie, his parents, Margaret and Elliott "Slim" Lewis, and his brother Marvin Lewis. Born in Fayetteville, NC, Wayne attended Aberdeen High School and then NC State...

George William "Bill" Joyner, Jr. died June 6, 2024, following a period of declining health. Bill was born in Asheboro in 1944, the son of the late Dr. George William Joyner and Sue Brewer Joyner. He attended Asheboro High School, where he was a member of the golf and basketball teams. He was named "Mr. Asheboro High School" by his classmates and was class speaker at his graduation in 1962. Bill was twice inducted into the Asheboro High School Sports Hall of Fame, both as an outstanding individual basketball player and with his 1962 state basketball championship team. Bill then attended Wake Forest College and was proud to be a direct descendant of the school's founder, Samuel Wait. He...

Susan Wilkinson Hunter, 83, of Apex, NC, passed away peacefully on May 29, 2024. Susan was a beloved mother, daughter, friend, and neighbor to everyone she encountered. Susan Carol Wilkinson was born at her Wilkinson Grandparents' home in the Brush Creek community of Casey County, Kentucky. Her father, Ancil Clifton Wilkinson, was serving in the Pacific Theater with the US Navy at the time, so her mother, Florence Evelyn Pullen, was helped by her in-laws until Ancil returned home after the war ended. Eventually, Susan and her mother moved to Louisville, Kentucky where Susan graduated high school. From there, Susan enrolled at the University of Louisville where she graduated in 1963 and...

William Randolph "Randy" Loftis Jr., 76, of Winston-Salem, passed away on Saturday, May 18, 2024. He was born on June 24, 1947, to William Randolph Loftis Sr. and Elisabeth Futrell Loftis in Hickory, NC. Randy was raised in Morganton, North Carolina, and attended Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Virginia. He went on to earn his undergraduate degree at Wofford College, and later obtained his J.D. from Wake Forest, where he graduated at the top of his class. A practicing attorney of 52 years, his notable career started in Winston-Salem, North Carolina at Petree, Stockton, Robinson, Glaze & Maready (now Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP), where he practiced from 1971-91 and...

John Borden McKinnon entered peacefully into life triumphant on Friday, May 3, 2024. John was born on September 23, 1934, in Lumberton, NC, the youngest son of Margaret Borden McKinnon and Henry Alexander McKinnon. He attended Lumberton High School and Duke University, where he graduated in 1956 with an AB in History. He then entered the Air Force, and the following year married his wife of 66 years, Grace Danhoff. In 1961 he received an MBA from Harvard Business School. His early business career in venture capital took him to Florida and California. He then returned to North Carolina, first with Duplan Corporation and then with Hanes, where he served as Treasurer. When Hanes was acquired by...