Mr. Samuel N. Brimage

August 30, 1942 – December 24, 2012

“I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth; and though this body be destroyed, yet shall I see God; whom I shall see for myself and mine eyes shall behold.” The Book of Common Prayer

Mr. Samuel Nelson Brimage, 70, of Winston-Salem, North Carolina died peacefully at his home on Monday, December 24, 2012. He was born on August 30, 1942 to the late William and Nicy Hawkins.

Sam was a graduate of Atkins High School and latter attended Winsalm College in Winston-Salem. He received an honorable discharge from the United States Air Force. He retired from AMP after 32 years of service. He worked part-time at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital as a Patron Attendant after retirement.

Sam was a faithful member of United Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church and served as an Usher. His beautiful smile made everyone feel welcome.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Cassantherine Legrand; two brothers, William Hawkins and Alexander Hawkins.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his devoted wife, Martha Gary Brimage of the home; one daughter, Cheryl Walker; two stepdaughters, Vicki (Ben) Jackson and Gail Gary; one stepson, Marcus Gary, all of Winston-Salem; two granddaughters, Jatteria Walker and Reshunda Oneil; one great granddaughter, Ja’Leyah Stephens; five brothers, Thomas (Laura) Hawkins of San Antonio, Texas, Claude Hawkins, Herman Hawkins, Nathaniel Hawkins and Ricky Hawkins, all of Winston-Salem; one sister, Doris (Carey) Williamson of Salisbury, North Carolina; nieces, nephews and many other relatives and friends.

A celebration of life will be held on Friday, December 28, 2012 at 12:00 p.m. at United Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church, with Reverend Prince Rainey Rivers officiating. The family will receive friends 45 minutes prior to the service at the church. At the family’s request there will be no public viewing.

The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to the staff of Hospice for their love and support.

Mrs. Annie Mae Speas Porter

Mrs. Annie Mae Speas Porter, 97, of 6280 Riverbluff Farm Road in Tobaccoville, died December 23, 2012, at the  Brian Center Health and Retirement Facility in Winston-Salem, N.C. 

Mrs. Porter was born September 14, 1915, in Tobaccoville to the late William Cal and Minervia Spease Speas.  She spent all her life in Forsyth County, a homemaker, a dedicated spouse and mother. 

Mrs. Porter was preceded in death by her husband James Raymond Porter and son Raymond McKinley Porter.

Left behind to cherish her memories are four children: Lelia Gray (Al) Williams, Winifred Blondell Pernell ( Atlanta GA), Edmund B. (Rosa) Porter (Tobaccoville, N.C.), Michael S. Porter (Winston-Salem, N.C.); two grand daughters, Cheryl Pernell, Crystal (Leon) Horne and one great- grand son Christopher Williams of Atlanta; two  sisters-in-law, Margaret Valentine Speas and Ruth Lavenia Bratcher Speas of Winston-Salem a host of relatives and friends.

Funeral Service will be held on the 26th of December, 2012, in the chapel of Clark S. Brown & Son Funeral Home, 727 N, Patterson Ave., Winston-Salem, N.C. , 1:30 p.m. visitation and 2:p.m. service. Interment will be in Benbow Chapel AME Zion Church Cemetery.

Miss Creola B. Speas

"I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than dwell in the tents of wickedness." Psalm 84:10

Creola Bennett Speas was born on December 14, 1924 , to the late Carrie Speas and Albert Wharton in Tobaccoville, North Carolina.

On Saturday, December 22, 2012, the lord called His Angel, Creola, home. She peacefully accepted the call to live with Him and went Home for Christmas from Homestead Hills Danby House in Winston-Salem, NC.

Creola truly loved the lord. She never met a stranger. She fed the hungry, clothed the naked and would always lend a helping hand to those in need.

She was a devoted member of Union Baptist Church, where she found purpose as she gave faithful service to the Usher Board.

Creola was a committed employee. She retired in 2006, due to illness, after working for more than 40 years at The Buena Vista Shop, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Joe Speas; an aunt, Mabel Speas and an uncle, Joseph Speas.

Those family members who will forever cherish the memory of Creola Bennett Speas include: her son, Arnold Speas, of the city; her daughter, Jane (Kenny) Moses, Columbia, SC; six grandchildren, Monica Speas, Tarra Speas, Nikia Speas, laKeisha (Anthony) Brunson, Arnold Speas Jr., all of the city; and Special Moses, Columbia, SC; eleven great grandchildren; her adopted family, Connie and Carver Lewis, Martinsville, VA; and a host of other family members and friends.

A service was held in her memory at 12:00 Noon on Monday, December 24, 2012 in the chapel of Clark S. Brown & Sons Funeral Home with Rev. Dr. S. Walter Mack, Jr., eulogist.

For copy of the funeral program, click here

Ms. Lesia M. Williams

Ms. Lisa Michelle Williams was born on March 30, 1963 to the late Annie Mae Williams in Winston-Salem, NC. She was raised in the Boston Community and later a long term resident of Salem Gardens. She passed unexpectedly on December 19, 2012.

She attended Forsyth County Schools and was employed at Sara Lee Corporation and Taco Bell.

Ms. Lisa Michelle Williams was preceded in death by two aunts; Hazel Jones and Bernice Williams; one sister, Cynthia Yvette Thompson and a special cousin, Vikki Williams.

Many loving and fond memories will be cherished by her daughters, Sherry Williams and Shera Williams; three sisters; Rolena Williams, Carolyn (Cletis) Holland, and Sharon Watson; one brother, Jermaine Watson; Six grandchildren; Tanijah O'Neal, Gymere "Prophet" Williams, Dekeng Williams, tymere Williams, Patrick Cox, III, and Talayiah Williams; Two nephews, Michael (Tjwana) Williams and Tremus Williams; Two nieces, Robin Williams and Kasandra Williams. Devoted friend, Vernon "Blade" Lindsey and special son, William "Bo" Massey. All of the city and a host of great nieces, nephews and other family.

For a copy of the funeral program, click here

Mrs. Eloise R. Bonner

Mrs. Eloise Russell Bonner was born on June 1, 1941 to the late Lillian Russell Steward. God sent his angels to take her home on December 10, 2012. She was a native and resident of Winston-Salem, NC and attended the public schools. She retired from RJR after more than 20 years of service. Eloise was a devoted wife, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt and friend. We will deeply miss her.
Our beloved Eloise leaves to cherish her memory her devoted husband, Marvin Bonner of the home; her sons, Anthony Glenn Sr. (Ruth) and Billy Glenn Sr. (Sally); her daughters, Venus Glenn (Reginald) and Shulelvia Douthit (Charles); stepdaughter, Cherisha Williams; stepson, Marvin Bonner III all of Winston-Salem; her devoted sisters and best friends Barbara Abbott (Bobby) of Clinton, Maryland, Jennette McGregor (Vernell) and Constance Russell of Winston-Salem; the other apple of her eye, her four-legged baby Lexus; 10 grandchildren, 4 great- grandchildren, several nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.

Family visitation will be held from 2:00pm to 2:30pm, on Saturday, December 15, 2012 at Eastside Church of Christ. Funeral service to follow with interment at Evergreen Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to a cancer research organization of your choice.

Miss Sharon E. Berrow

Sharon Elizabeth Berrow was born July 28, 1956 to the late Charlene Berrow in Tylertown, Mississippi. She departed this life on December 8, 2012 in Winston-Salem, NC.

Sharon attended the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County public schools. She was a graduate of West Forsyth High School, class of 1974. She furthered her studies at Forsyth Technical Community College and Rutledge and Miller Motte Business Colleges.

Sharon was a faithful member of First Baptist Church. She gave leadership and participated in many ministries of the church, including: Vice President, Usher Board; member, Usher Board Sunday school class; secretary and manager, Women’s Service Council; the Food Pantry; and assistant secretary of the Forsyth County United usher Board.

Sharon believed in service. She was honorably discharged following her enlistment in the US Army at Fort Gordon, Georgia Locally she served as as past Commander, 1st Vice Commander and 2nd Vice-Commander of the American Legion Post 220.

Sharon volunteered in the community at Jefferson and Diggs Elementary Schools, in Health and Blood Services at the American Red Cross , knitting and crocheting blankets for babies with N.I.N. (Newborns In Need), Black Repertory Company and the International River Run Festival. In addition to her volunteering, Sharon was an avid reader and enjoyed her membership with a local Book Club.

Sharon held several position during her working career. She was employed at the Veteran’s Administration, Clark S. Brown & Sons Funeral Home, E.G. Forrest Food Distributing Company, Dr. Ralph L. Wall, Jr., MD and Sara Lee Direct.

In addition to her mother, she was preceded in death by a sister, Nelda Jean Dillion.

Those family members who will forever cherish her memory include: sister, Yvonne Jefferson, of the city; five brothers: William (Mary) Dean, George, Laurence and Charles Berrow, Mark (Adrienne) Williams, all of the city; 14 nieces, 11 nephews; an aunt, Mildred Dean of New Orleans, LA, several great nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and other relatives.

Funeral services will be held at 12:30 PM on Monday, December 17, 2012 at First Baptist Church. The family will greet friends 30 minutes prior to the service. Interment will be in Salisbury National Cemetery.

For a copy of the funeral program, click here