Page 52
December 2002
The AC Phoenix
“A Passage Home”
AC Phoenix Obituaries
EuesrII’s
Adams, William B.
“Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth; that
they may rest from their labors, and their works do follow them.”
Proverbs 14:1-3
Mr. William B. Adams, son of the late Thomas and Maggie Adams,
was born Feb. 12, 1914, in Statesville. He was raised in a happy
Christian home as the third oldest of eight brothers and sisters.
William Adams received his elementary school education in the
Statesville school system. He was married to Ruth Pelham for more
than 50 years. To this union two sons and four daughters were born.
His wife and daughter, Agatha, preceded him in death. William and
Ruth made a permanent home in Winston-Salem. He was the “real
man of the home, industrious and God fearing”.. He retired after 34
years service at R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. He also retired from a
second job at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. He worked in the
Housekeeping Dept, there for many years before declining health
forced his retirement. William Adams was a faithful member of
Macedonia True Vine Pentecostal Holiness Church joining by
Christian experience from the Gospel Tabernacle Holmes Church.
He loved the Lord and served as deacon at Macedonia for many
years. He was supportive of many initiatives that sought to lift the
downtrodden and gave comfort to the brokenhearted. He was a
co-founder of the Freedom Road Prison'Ministry Inc. with his wife
Ruth and others. He was also instrumental in the planning, financing
and development of Pelham Memorial Sanctuary. On Tuesday, Nov.
5, 2002, in Los Angeles, Calif., William B. Adams was escorted by
God’s angels to a better resting place. He leaves to cherish his
memory two beloved sons, Shedrick of Winston-Salem and Samuel
of Rocky Mount; three beloved daughters, Saundra Faye
Adams-Macintosh of Los Angeles, Calif., his primary caregiver
during his declining health with Carroll Adams-McRae of Winston-
Salem and Wilma Swynetta Adams-Martin of Ithica, N.Y.; four loving
and attentive granddaughters, Karen, Kim, Kelly and Kristie of
Winston-Salem. William B. Adams also leaves to cherish his
memory, three brothers, Tommy, (Vicki) and Alfred (Letra) of
Winston-Salem and Fredrick of Texas; and three sisters, Madeline
Mullins of Winston-Salem, Dora Abney of Greenbelt, Md., and Mary
Adams of Raleigh. He leaves his dearest Aunt Mary Lois of Hickory;
a favorite nephew, James Lomax (Sandra) of Winston-Salem, a
favorite niece, Doris Vaughns (Eddie) of Winston-Salem and his
uncle, Damon Davis of Washington, D.C. There are 22 grandchildren
and many nieces and nephews who share wonderful memories of
William B. Adams. Mr. Adams cherished his family, all of his
wonderful neighbors of the Camel Avenue Good Neighbor Club, his
very good friend and neighbor, James Hairston and Mother Edna
Clark of Macedonia True Vine Pentecostal Church, who helped
nurture him during his declining years. He will be missed greatly and
his memory highly treasured by his many friends, co-workers and
neighbors. Reflections on the life of William B. Adams were held at
11 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 17, 2002, at Macedonia True Vine Pentecostal
Holiness Church, 500 Kinard Drive.
Austin, Joe H.
Mr. Joe H. Austin, 80, of 129 N. Dunleith Ave., passed away Monday,
Nov. 18. 2002, at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home after a brief
period of illnes’s. He was born Feb. 2,1922, in Greenville, S.C., the
son of the late Minnie Mae Bennet and Roy Cook Sr. He attended
public schools in Fountain, S.C. Mr. Austin was a World War II
veteran.. He entered the U.S. Armed Forces in 1943. During his
military career, he received a Decoration and Citation, Asiac Pacific
Theater Service Medal with one Bronze Star, a Good Conduct
Medal, a Meritorious Unit Award GO 1889th ENG AVN BN. On Sept.
19,1945, he received a World War 11 Victory Medal and a honorable
discharge. He retired from Reynolds High School in June 1987, was
a member of the North Dunleith Avenue Good Neighborhood Club,
and was a faithful and dedicated member of Galilee Baptist Church.
When asked who his pastor was and if the pastor could preach, Mr.
Austin would often reply, "The Rev. McGowens, he is the best”.
During his illness, his face would brighten up when Pastor and Mrs.
McGowens visited him. He was preceded in death by his daughter,
Dianne Hall Bess; a brother, Roy Cook Jr.; and a sister, Geneva Mill
Martin. He leaves to cherish his memory, Sarah Evans Austin, his
faithful and loving wife of 56 years; two daughters, Peggy
Montgomery (Willie) of Washington, D.C., and Katherine Austin-
Bohannon (Patrick) of Phoenix, Ariz.; three sons, Joseph R. Austin
Porothy) of Roanoke, Va., and Richard J. Austin (Tameka) and
Robert M. Austin (Nancy), all of Winston-Salem; 17 grandchildren,
Rovia Hall, Demetria Smith, LaJessica Austin, Chauntea Austin,
Shinika Austin, Tahisha Austin, Brandon Austin, Clayton Reynolds,
Sharie Brooks, Rashon Brooks, Jamal Blackwell and She Faye
Blackwell, all of Winston-Salem, Christopher D. Smallwood of
Phoenix, Ariz., and Joseph R. Austin Jr., Danielle Austin and Ariel
Austin, all of Roanoke, Va.; nine great-grandchildren. Jasmine Hall,
Jequan Hall, Jiwan Hall, La Jessica Austin, Jequan Austin. Jalik
Austin, Jakier Austin, Cierria Austin and Kierra Austin, ail of Winston-
Salem; a great-great-grandchild, Jadakiss Hall of Winston-Salem; a
legacy of loved ones, Melrose Hall Bess, Alvonia Austin, Crystal
Austin and Barbara Cockerham, all of Winston-Salem; brothers-in-
law Manuel Evans (Monte) of Winston-Salem, James Evans
(Barbara) of Newark, N.J., and Alvin Evans (Lucille) of Philadelphia,
Pa.; sisters-in-law Alice Evans and Willie Mae Finney, both of
Buffalo, N.Y., Gussie'Taylor Dennis of Los Angeles, Calif., Anna
Hayes of Philadelphia, Pa., and Betty Cook Hines; and a host of
nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. The funeral service was
held at 1 p.m. today, Nov. 23, 2002, at Galilee Missionary Baptist
Church, with the Rev. Robert McGowens officiating. (Russell)
Burgess, Clara Massey
Mrs. Clara Massey Burgess, 71, of 126 N. Cameron Ave. made the
transition into eternal life Tuesday, Nov. 19,2002, at Forsyth Medical
Center. She was the daughter of the late David and Esther Massey,
and the wife of the late Marion (Sonny) Burgess. Clara was a
member of Mars Hill Baptist Church where she served as a member
of the Senior Missionary Society and the Ladies Working Society.
She was a retired employee of the Old Lexington Road Plant of AT&T
Inc. Clara leaves to cherish her memory three aunts, Mattie Bell
Dudley of Washington, D.C., Hazel P. Bailey of Winston-Salem and
Evangelist Ruth P. Calhoun of Atlanta, Ga.; several devoted cousins,
Pat Harris of Philadelphia, Pa., Doris Smith and Betty ijames, both
of Clemmons, Willie L. (Junior) Bailey of Winston-Salem, Roslyn B.
Allen of Cary, Nellie (Bummie) Moses and Matthew Moses, both of
Atlanta, Ga., and Garland S. Brice of Winston-Salem; and special
friends Doreatha Owens, Romaine Hollis, Frances Whigfall, Kay
Montgomery and Clarence and Josephine Anderson, all of Winston-
Salem. She will also be missed by a host of other relatives and
friends. A graveside service was be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov.
23, 2002, at Evergreen Cemetery with the Rev. Lewis R. Crawford
officiating. (Russell)
Dulin, Mary
After a brief 3-month illness, Mary Dulin fell asleep early Monday
morning at 2:38 a.m. safely in the arms of Jesus. A devoted wife of
52 years to Frank, a dedicated mother to Reginald (Jackie) and
Randy, a darling grandma to Rodney, Rayven and Mia, a loving
sister to Richard Williams, Willie Williams, Ruby Moyer, Margaret
Ware and Pauline Wilson and an endearing aunt, cousin, church
member neighbor and friend. Mary was a native of Clemmons and a
1949 graduate of Carver Road High School, where she reigned as
Miss Carver during her senior year. She also completed her course
requirements at McClean Business School. In 1987, she retired from
AT&T after a 311/2 year career. Her life was celebrated at noon
Saturday, Nov. 30, 2002, afthe Carver Road Church of Christ, where
she was a faithful member for over 50 years. Entombment followed
at the Gardens of Memory, Building 10A, level T~D. Mary”s family
has safeguarded one of her many requests, that being, No Public
Viewing. “When life comes to an end, only let precious memories
remain.” Her earthly remains was entrusted into the loving care of
the professionals at Russell’s Funeral Home. The family would also
like to thank the qualitative staff of nurses on the ninth (9th) floor east
at Forsyth Medical Center. “Precious in the sight of God, is the death
of one of His Saints. Bye-Bye, Mary, we will see you in the morning.”
(Russell)
Ferguson, Leo Peay “Bubba”
Mr. Leo Peay “Bubba” Ferguson, 78, of 830 W. 14th St., Apartment
J, passed away Monday, Nov. 18, 2002, at the Wake Forest
University Baptist Medical Center. He was the son of the late Jack
and Mary Jane Ferguson. He was born Aug. 17,1924, in Camden,
S.C. Bubba found Christ at an early age and was baptized at St.
Stephens Baptist Church in Boykin, S.C., where he also sang in the
choir and a local gospel quartet. A veteran of World War II, he met
and married his wife in Boykin, S.C. In 1959, he moved his family to
Winston-Salem. He was a retired employee of Brenner Iron and
Metal and briefly served with W.S. Air King Rescue Squad in the late
1960s. Bubba was preceded in death by a son, Leo Jr. Surviving are
his wife of 52 years, Hattie Ferguson of the home; two daughters,
B^ White (Herbert) of Lanham, Md. and Denise Johnson of
Winston-Salem; two sons, Ronnie and Reginald Ferguson, both of
Winston-Salem; four grandsons, Kevin and Jamal Johnson, Jose
Ferguson ancf Joey Conrad, all of Winston-Salem; three grand
daughters, Tisha Lyons of Capitol Heights, Md., Michelle Wilson
(Ethan) of Winston-Galem and Trade Conrad of Winston-Salem: a
great-granddaughter, Temi Lyons of Capitol Heights, Md.; a sister,
Mamie Ferguson of Bellglade, Fla.; and a host of nieces, nephews,
relatives and friends. The funeral service will be 11 a.m. Saturday,
Nov. 23, 2002, in the chapel at Russell Funeral Home. Burial will be
Monday, Nov. 25, 2002, at the Salisbury National Cemetery. The
family visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral
home. The family may be contacted at residence; 830-J W. 14th St.
(Russell)
Hairston, Robert Lauche’ Hairston
ATLANTA - Mr. Robert Lauche’ Hairston, 44, of 1401 Donald Lee
Hollowell Parkway, Apt. V-11, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 10,
2002, at the Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Ga. He was a native
of Winston-Salem, born on June 23, 1958, to the late Eliza Eccles
Hairston and William Robert Hairston, Sr. He attended the Winston-
Salem/Forsyth County Schools and was a graduate of East Forsyth
High School, Class of 1976. He was a member of the Mount Zion
Baptist Church and was employed as a bus driver for the Marta Bus
System of the city of Atlanta. He is survived by his wife, Olivia Turner
Hairston of Atlanta; his father, William Robert Hairston Sr. of
Winston-Salem: two brothers, the Rev. William Robert (Jacqueline)
Hairston Jr. and Harry Robert Hairston, both of Winston-Salem; spe
cial cousins, Peyton (Jannie) Hairston and James Hairston of
Winston-Salem; a special uncle, Patrick (Fiorina) Hairston of
Winston-Salem; seven uncles, George (Viola) Eccles of Norfolk, Va.,
Frank Eccles of Germany, Willie (Maebelle) Eccles, Willis (Cerento)
Eccles, both of Winston-Salem, Dallas (Ruth) Eccles of Clemmons,
David (Francine) Eccles of Columbia, Md.; aunts, Bobed Eccles
Murray and Louise Eccles, both of Winston-Salem; a host of
cousins, other relatives and friends. A service in his memory was
held on Monday, Nov. 18, 2002, at noon at the Mount Zion Baptist
Church with Dr. Serenus Churn Sr. officiating. (Russell)
Eaton, Dorothea Beatrice Hairston
Mrs. Dorothea Beatrice Hairston Eaton, 81, formerly of 2209 Gerald
St., departed this life Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2002, at thQ Springwood
Care Center of Forsyth after a period of illness. Mrs. Eaton was born
May 25,1921, to Thornton and Susie Hairston. She was educated in
the local public schools and graduated with honors from Winston-
Salem Teachers College (WSSU), where she received a bachelor’s
degree in elementary education. She also attended Columbia
University in New York City and N.C. A&T State University in
Greensboro, where she was working toward a master’s degree. For
a time, she taught in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County public
schools and at J.F. Gunn School in Burlington, where she became a
music teacher. To many she was known as “Mrs. Eaton” because of
her 27 years with the Winston-Salem Recreation Department. She
was the first black female to be appointed as district supen/isor of
recreational and cultural activities. Mrs. Eaton also worked part time