Mrs. Margaret Valentine Speas

Mrs. Margaret Valentine Speas was born on January 22, 1912, the second born and last survivor of 13 children born to the late Mamie Scales and Edward Valentine, in Forsyth County, NC. She passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, February 22, 2015.

She was educated in the public schools of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County. She was a proud wife, mother and homemaker for her family and a dedicated employee and member of the Larson Family. She became a hostess for K and W Cafeterias (Hanes Mill Road location) at 90 years old and remained in that position until declining health was her reason for final retirement at 95 years of age.

Mrs. Speas was a life-long member of Center Grove A.M.E. Zion Church in Tobaccoville, NC where she served as past president and faithful member of the board of deaconess for more than fifty years. She was also well-known in her community and praised for the support that she gave to the community.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by Samuel Elmer Speas, her husband of 58 years; three children, Ernest Odell Speas, Mamie Speas Johnson and Barbara Speas Peoples; and her 12 siblings.

Those family members who survive include three daughters, Joan S. (Napoleon) Cloud, Majorie Louise Phillips and Deborah Lee Speas; a son, Cary D. Speas; 14 grandchildren, including special and devoted caregivers, Derrick Speas and Wayne Johnson; 11 great grandchildren; 6 great, great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, extended family members; and the Center Grove A. M. E. Zion Church Family.

A celebration of her life and legacy will take place at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, March 1, 2015 at Center Grove A. M. E. Zion Church in Tobaccoville. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will greet friends thirty minutes prior to the service, 2:30 p.m., at the church.

Ms. Mary Lynn Conrad


On Monday, February 16, 2015, Mary Lynn Conrad was called to eternal rest and peace in the comfort of her home when her loving angels surrounded her quietly and peacefully carried her home.

Mary Lynn Conrad was born on November 4, 1955 in Forsyth County. She was a graduate of R. J. Reynolds High School.

Mary was preceded in death by her mother, Elizabeth Ann Conrad; father, Jimmy Conner and sister, Tjwana Jean Conrad Baldwin.

She was a member of Red Bank Baptist Church, Germanton, NC.

Mary was a peacemaker at heart always choosing her words carefully, thinking of the feelings of others, and never wanting to hurt or offend anyone.

Left to cherish her fond memories forever; one son; Courtney Lopez (Arties) Conrad, Sr.; one daughter, Katrina Conrad of Boston, MA; two sisters Adrienne Conrad (Allen) Speas and Barbara Conrad; one devoted brother, Aaron L. (Katherine) Conrad; three uncles, James E. Peterson (Mary) of Junction City, Kansas, Jerry Lewis Peterson and Clifton Ray Peterson of Winston-Salem, NC; three aunts; Janice Marie Conner, Nancy Brown (Ransom) and Carolyn Williams; three devoted nieces; Laquana Conrad Glenn (Cedric), Tjwana Jean “Toosie” Baldwin and Claytonya Conrad; a devoted cousin, Charlotte Macy Peterson and six grandchildren.
Funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, February 21, 2015 in the chapel of Clark S. Brown & Sons Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. The family will greet friends 30 minutes prior to the service.

Mr. Dennis E. Bell

Mr. Dennis Eugene Bell, aka Gene Bell or Ray Charles, was born on January 29, 1941 to the late Ms. Carrie Bell. He departed this life on Sunday, February 15, 2015 at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home. He leaves to mourn their loss his wife of 49 years, Mrs. Alice J. Bell; three daughters: Mrs. Sharon (Angelo) Gonzales, Mrs. Alice (David) Wilson, and Mrs. Rochelle Parker; three sons: Darrell E. Bell, Damonn E. Bell and Lamont Wideman; a brother, Kenneth Moore; two sisters: Ann Moore and Millie Moore and a host of other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, February 20, 2015 in the chapel of Clark S. Brown & Sons Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Crestview Memorial Park. The family will greet friends thirty minutes prior to the service.

Mr. John C. Young, Sr. "Shag"

John Calvin Young, Sr., affectionately called “Shag” or “Mr. John,” was born to the late Jessie and Etta Roseboro Young in Forsyth County, NC on July 24, 1940.
He was educated in the public schools of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County and graduated from Atkins High Schools in 1959. After graduation he briefly attended Winston-Salem Teachers College (WSSU).
“Shag” retired from Stroh Brewery Company following twenty-eight years of dedicated service to the company.
He was a life-long member of United Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church where he gave faithful service on the Male Chorus until declining health limited his active participation.
Mr. Young loved to play golf and enjoyed bowling. “Shag” was
snazzy dresser and the sole proprietor of Young’s Clothing.
Following a period of illness, he peacefully passed away at his home in Winston-Salem on Wednesday, February 11, 2015. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Arthur Bitting; two sisters, Ruth L. Carter and Doris Y. McMurray; and a brother, Cozell Young.
Those family members who survive and who will forever cherish loving memories include, Carol Bitting Young, his devoted wife of over fifty years; his sons, John C. (Irene) Young, Jr. and Alphonso Byrd; brother, Lonnie Ray Young; grandchildren, Johnetta and Jonathan Young and Maurice Brown; three sisters-in-law; one brother-in-law; several nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members and many friends.

A funeral service will be held at 12:30 pm, Monday, February 16, 2015 at United Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church. Interment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery. The family will receive friends thirty minutes prior to the service, 12:00 pm, at the church. (Clark S. Brown and Sons)

Mr. Samuel McMurray


Mr. McMurray was born on July 20, 1916 to the late Ms. Maggie Dunlap in Lancaster, SC. He attended the public schools in Lancaster and later relocated to Winston-Salem, where he graduated from Atkins High School in 1935.
Sam was enlisted for 20 years in the United States Army, where he served in WWII and the Korean Conflict. After his retirement from the Army, he was employed at Old Salem for 30 years and at SECCA Art Center for 20 years.
He was a member of Shiloh Baptist Church where he faithfully served as a member of the Male Chorus and other ministries.
In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by two wives, Inez Siddall and Doris Scales; a daughter, Clara Tucker; one sister and several brothers.
Sam leaves not to mourn but to cherish his memory, two daughters, Shirley W. Moore and Thelma W. McCoy; a devoted step-son, Bernard (Gloria) Scales; three step-daughters, Linda Scales, Cheryl Scales and Francina S. Hawkins; several grands and great-grands; Mae A. Archie, a devoted friend for many years along with her family.
Sam’s Celebration of Life will take place Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at Shiloh Baptist Church. Visitation will begin at 10:30 am and the Home-Going Service will follow at 11:00 am with Reverend Paul Lowe officiating. Interment with full military honors will take place on Thursday, February 12, 2015 at Salisbury National Cemetery.
 
Mr. Samuel “Sam” McMurray, 98, passed away Thursday, February 5, 2015 at KBR Hospice Home.