Category: 1954

In celebration, we announce that Pastor Dr. Richard Henry Little (Dick), 87, husband, father, pastor, teacher, evangelist, author, but most importantly life-long servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, went to be with his beloved Savior on Thursday evening March 21, 2019 in Winston-Salem, NC after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

He is survived by his wife, Notre Shirilee; son Richard Bryant Little and wife Tess; two grandchildren, Vanessa Best, Joshua Jones and wife Angela; three great-grandchildren, Campbell Best, McKenzie Jones and Hollee Jones; cousin Katharine Parrish (who was like a sister).

His daughter Kathryn Lynne Jones preceded him in death.

Dick was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and grew up in Anniston, Ala., the son of Henry Wilson Little and Eleanor Augusta Little. He graduated from Davidson College, Davidson, NC, and received his master’s of divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, Va. and Dr. of ministry from Luther Rice Seminary in Jacksonville, Fla.

Dick began his ministry as chaplain of the Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center and was associate pastor of the Tinkling Springs Presbyterian Church in Fishersville, Va. where he met his wife of 60 years.

For seven years he was pastor of the Parkview Presbyterian Church in Newport News, VA (PCUSA). From 1965 to 1979 he was engaged in full-time preaching evangelism under the auspices of the Presbyterian Evangelistic Fellowship.

In 1980 he became pastor of Reynolda Presbyterian Church in Winston-Salem, leading them into the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in 1987.

In 1995 he retired from Reynolda Church. During his ministry, Dick preached and taught in churches all over the United States, South America, Puerto Rico, Israel, Italy, India, Ukraine and other countries. He was the founder of the Hawkridge Home for the elderly in Neyyattinkara, India.

He served as the coordinating director for the First and Second World Conferences of the Holy Spirit in Jerusalem, Israel in the 70s where over 3000 believers worshiped and praised the Lord in the Binyenei HaUma convention center with Charismatic leaders of that day. He served on the boards of the Evangelistic Mission to Puerto Rico, the Presbyterian and Reformed Renewal Ministries International and the Presbyterian Charismatic Communion.

He was one of the founding pastors and on the board of Associates in Christian Counseling in Winston-Salem, NC. He was the author of “Kiss Your Church,” written for pastors on how to minister to their people and church. One of his greatest blessings was to be elected moderator of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in 1997.

From 1995-2012 he remained active serving churches in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, one of which was the Kempsville Presbyterian Church in Va. Beach, Va. where he had a very fruitful ministry. Being a church member all of his life but not coming to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ as his Savior until college, he devoted his life to his greatest passion, declaring the saving message of Jesus Christ.

As one person said, “He was a come to Jesus preacher.” “Someday you will read in the paper that I am dead. Don’t you believe a word of it. At that moment I shall be more alive than I am now. That which is born of the flesh may die. That which is born of the Spirit will live forever.” Dwight L. Moody (1837-1899).

His celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, March 30 at 1:30 p.m. at Reynolda Presbyterian Church, 2200 Reynolda Rd. in Winston-Salem, NC. Following a graveside service for the family at Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens, family visitation will follow after the Reynolda church service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Riveroaks Community Church World Missions, Clemmons, NC and Pruitt Hospice, North Wilkesboro, NC.

The family would like to express their deep appreciation to those who lovingly cared for him during his struggle with Alzheimer’s disease: Dr. Edward Shaw Memory Counseling Program, Wake Forest Baptist Hospital, Mrs. Beverly Riddle (Caregiver), Brighton Gardens Reminiscence Care Staff, Pruitt Hospice, North Wilkesboro, NC; and our church families Riveroaks Community Church, Reynolda EPC.

Online condolences may be made through www.salemfh.com.

Our city is quieter. George William Crone Jr. passed away on February 23, 2019, at his home of 57 years in Winston-Salem, NC. He was born September 4, 1932, in Goldsboro, NC to George W. Crone and Hazel Omega Grady Crone.

His family moved to Winston-Salem in 1941. He graduated from R. J. Reynolds High School where he was a member of the varsity swim and varsity football teams. During this time, he earned the rank of Eagle Scout. He was elected captain of the swim team at Davidson College where he graduated in 1954.

After serving in the U.S. Army, he received his MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He began his career as a self-proclaimed “empty box salesman” for Mengel Box Company that later became Container Corporation of America.

He courted Dorothy Rice Allen during high school and college, married her in 1957 and together they lived a fulfilling life rearing their three daughters and traveling to remote fishing locations from the Caribbean to the Alaskan wilderness for 47 blissful years.

George is survived by his three daughters: Anna Montgomerie (Jeff), Molly Dewey (David), and Betsy Crone; five grandchildren: Liza Dewey Odell (Rob), Cole Dewey (Kristina Vongkaysone, fiancée), Will Dewey, Quinn Montgomerie and Emma Montgomerie; first cousin, James Arthur Cavenaugh, Jr.; and dear friends and caregivers.

He was a lifelong member and active participant of Centenary United Methodist Church. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club and the Advisory Board of the Salvation Army. He was a 30-year member of Long Hope Fishing Club. George was an avid sportsman. He considered one of the blessings of his life that he was retired for more years than he worked. His priority became sharing his lifetime passions with his family and friends: to have a place to play golf, a place to quail hunt, and a place to trout fish Mission Accomplished!

For six decades, he adored his bird dogs: Old Bob, Bob, Jake, Mitch, Hank, Paddy, Lizzie, Belle, Boone, Maggie, Pancake, Biscuit, Sadie, and Puddin’, who died earlier this month.

Because of his incredible gift for spinning a yarn, many were fortunate to laugh heartily with him, spellbound, as he relived his experiences over and over and over. His most memorable gift, however, is the privilege of having shared his adventurous life story.

A celebration of life will be Thursday, February 28, 2019 at 4:00 at Centenary United Methodist Church with a reception immediately following in the auditorium.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Centenary United Methodist Church, Loaves and Fishes, 646 West Fifth Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101 or the Salvation Army of Winston-Salem, Post Office Box 1205, Winston-Salem, NC 27102-1205.

Condolences may be made online at www.salemfh.com.

William Ernest (Bill) Blackwell, 86, passed away February 19 at the Arboretum at Heritage Greens after a lengthy battle with Frontotemporal Dementia.

Bill was born April 1, 1932, in Rocky Mount, N.C., to Ellen Wilkinson Blackwell and Rosser Ira Blackwell, along with his twin brother Rosser Ira, Jr., who died shortly after birth.

He grew up in Raleigh, NC and graduated from Broughton High School in 1950. Bill attended Davidson College and graduated in 1954 with a degree in Business & Economics.

Following graduation, he chose to serve his country and enlisted in the US Army where he spent two years in Germany as part of the occupational forces. Upon return from Germany, Bill earned his Masters of Business Administration at UNC-Chapel Hill where he became an avid and lifelong Tarheel fan.

In 1957, Bill moved to Greensboro and began his career with Jefferson Standard as a financial analyst. Bill earned both his Chartered Financial Analyst and Certified Life Underwriter designations, enabling him to successfully manage Jefferson-Standard’s investment portfolio.

After Jefferson-Standard’s merger with Pilot Life, Bill took on increased operating responsibilities eventually serving as Executive Vice President, Vice-Chairman of the Board, and Chief Operating Officer of Jefferson-Pilot Corporation and President, Jefferson-Pilot Communications.

Bill was committed to Greensboro and Morehead City and served in numerous volunteer capacities and on multiple boards, including Greensboro College Board of Trustees, Davidson College Board of Visitors, Greensboro Chamber of Commerce Board, NC School of Math and Science Foundation Board, Greensboro YMCA Board of Directors, and the Guilford College Board of Visitors. He served as a member of the Greensboro Rotary Club and was a sustaining Paul Harris Fellow. He was also a long-time member of the Greensboro Sports Council.

In 1973, Bill married Elizabeth (Liz) Levitan Blackwell and became step-father to two young children, Scott and Tracy.

Bill was an avid skier and enjoyed skiing throughout New England and the West. Bill also enjoyed tennis with his friends. He loved the outdoors, leading family and friends on hiking, backpacking and canoeing trips. He also valued spending time at Morehead City boating, fishing and windsurfing.

After his retirement, Bill and Liz spent time traveling to many places in Europe, N. America, Australia, Africa, and Asia until Bill’s advancing dementia made that no longer possible.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Ellen and Rosser Ira Blackwell and brother John Blackwell.

Bill is survived by his wife of 46 years, Elizabeth (Liz) Blackwell, sister Louis Ledbetter of Raleigh, step-son Scott Sternberg (Emily) of Greenwich Connecticut, step-daughter Tracy Sternberg of Wake Forest, and three grandchildren, Will, Katherine, and Zach Sternberg.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Holy Trinity Episcopal Church (607 N. Greene Street, North Carolina 27401) or the charity of your choice.

Funeral services will be held at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church at 3 pm on Monday, February 25th.

Charles Letcher McElveen, Jr., 86, of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, husband of Betty White McElveen died Sunday, October 28, 2018.

A graveside service will be held Friday, November 2, 2018, in the Mount Pleasant Memorial Gardens, 1308 Mathis Ferry Road at 2:00 PM. The family will receive friends Friday, November 2, 2018 in the J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. Mount Pleasant at 1:00 PM. A reception will be held after the service at the Sexton residence, 661 Palisades Dr. Mount Pleasant.

Charles “Buddy” was born September 6, 1932, in Kingstree, South Carolina, son of the late Charles Letcher McElveen, Sr. and Eva Robinson McElveen. He was a gifted pianist at Williamsburg Presbyterian Church. Buddy was a graduate of Kingstree High School and attended Davidson College.

He then volunteered for the Army during the Korean War and served at the Pentagon from 1953-1955. After completion of his military service, he attended the University of Southern Mississippi where he earned a bachelor’s degree.

Buddy operated McElveen Grocery in Kingstree, worked at C&S Bank in Charleston, as junior officer and manager. He was then employed at Berlin’s Men’s Store.

Later he earned a Master of Education degree from Francis Marion College and worked as a special education teacher in the Williamsburg and Georgetown County school districts from 1969-1998.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Betty; his son, Micky Watts (Deanie) of Georgetown, SC; three daughters, Brenda McElveen of Charleston, SC; Eva-Marie Thibodeaux (John Finafrock) of Mt. Pleasant, SC; and Pamela McElveen Sexton (Tom) of Mt. Pleasant, SC; two granddaughters, Mary Ashley Skipper (Davis) of Murrells Inlet, SC, and Brittany Nell Ellis (Brandon) of Pawleys Island, SC; two grandsons, Thomas Edison Sexton, III of Mt. Pleasant, SC, and Charles Murray Sexton of Mt. Pleasant, SC; his great-granddaughter, Olivia Caroline Ellis of Pawleys Island, SC, and a great-granddaughter on the way; and his brother, William “Billy” Edward McElveen (Peg) of Auburn, AL.

Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256.

A memorial message may be sent to the family by visiting our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com . V

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Published in Charleston Post & Courier on Oct. 30, 2018

July 26, 1932 – June 15, 2018

Charles M. Hassell, Jr., M.D. died peacefully at Well Spring Retirement Community on June 15 following complications from chronic illness. A memorial service and celebration of life will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 617 N. Elm St., Greensboro, NC at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday June 20, with visitation to follow in the Virginia Gilmer Room.

Charlie was born in Charlotte, NC on July 26, 1932, as the younger child of Charles M. Hassell, Sr. and Florine Rawlins Hassell. Growing up during the Great Depression and World War II in Dilworth and Myers Park, he obtained the rank of Eagle Scout, attended Old Central High School, and matriculated to Davidson College, where he graduated in 1954. He continued his pursuit and passion for the sciences and health care and received his M.D. From the University of Pennsylvania four years later. It was there in Philadelphia where he met a young orthopedic nurse, Jeanne Maxwell, whom he would marry in 1959.

After pursuing and completing a five-year medical residency program in pathology in Cleveland, OH, Charlie was recruited by his mentor and friend Dr. Herb Lund to the growing pathology practice at Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital. But before permanently settling back in his home state, Charlie was called to serve in the U.S. Army Medical Corps during the Vietnam War era, where he was stationed at Ft. Bragg, NC and Ft. Polk, LA. He was honorably discharged as a Lt. Colonel in 1969, when he and Jeanne returned to stay with their four young children to make their lives in Greensboro.

He rose through the professional ranks as he became board-certified in the emerging field of the study of skin diseases, or Dermatopathology; Charlie would eventually serve as Chief Pathologist and Director of Laboratories, as well as President of the Greensboro Medical Society and Chair of the N.C. Professional Standards Review Organization (PSRO) while remaining active in the local medical journal club and regional medical organizations, as well as the AMA and the American College of Physicians.

The son of an accomplished music educator, Charlie made the most of his considerable musical talent. Having played cornet and piano and sung in collegiate and liturgical choral groups in his youth, he performed for nearly half a decade with conductor Robert Shaw and the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra Chorus and continued in his adopted home of Greensboro through opportunities with First Presbyterian Church choir, EMF Chorus, and as an award-winning stage actor with Greensboro Lyric and Community Theatre of Greensboro, the Livestock Players, 5 by O. Henry, and Greensboro Opera. His additional civic service included leadership and board positions with the Community Blood Bank, Moses Cone Hospital, CTG, and as a Paul Harris Fellow with Greensboro Rotary Club; as a champion and benefactor for Greensboro Symphony, Greensboro Opera, and the United Arts Council (now ArtsGreensboro); as co-chair of UNCG’s School of Music component of its Capital Campaign; and as a participant in Seniors Leadership Greensboro. He also enjoyed pursuits as an avid golfer, photographer, gourmet cook, and model train enthusiast. Charlie and Jeanne dearly loved traveling the world with each other, eventually sharing adventures and seeing the sights on six continents.

Charlie was predeceased by his parents, his sister, Laura Alice Hassell Shoemaker, and just last June by Jeanne, his wife and companion of 58 years. He is survived by his four children (and spouses) Judge Robby Hassell (Eloise) of Greensboro, Laura Hassell (Carla E. Jimenez) of Portland, OR, Harry Hassell (Anne-Marie Tranchida) of New York, NY, and Rebecca Hassell of Greensboro, and by his beloved grandchildren, Lt. Molly Hassell, USAF, and Bayly M. Hassell of Washington, D.C.

Charlie’s family is grateful for the love of his friends and for the care extended by his health providers at the end of his full and extraordinary life. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra, Cone Health Foundation, the Arc of Greensboro, or to the charity of one’s choice.

Arrangements are provided by Hanes Lineberry North Elm Chapel.