Obituaries
Austin Samuel Critz
Jun 1, 2026
Mr. Austin Samuel Critz, of Mount Airy, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, June 1, 2026, at the age of 28. Austin was born March 3, 1998, in Forsyth County, to Sam and Becky Critz. Austin was a lifelong academic with a passion for uncovering knowledge and sharing it with others. In all he did, he wanted people to be taken...
Deputy Logan R. Utt
May 29, 2026
The family of Deputy Utt respectfully requests that members of the media refrain from videoing both inside and outside of the church and respect the family's privacy during this difficult time.
Deputy Logan R. Utt, 31, made the ultimate sacrifice while serving and protecting the community he loved on Friday, May 29, 2026. Though his watch has ended, his legacy of...
Lester A. Singer
May 11, 2026
Mr. Lester A. Singer, 81, of Mount Airy, passed away peacefully on Monday morning, May 11, 2026, at the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home in Dobson, NC. He was born October 2, 1944 in Rochester, PA. Left to cherish his memory are; 4 grandchildren, Joseph and Leah Singer, Lindsey Singer and Mike Guerrero, Gage Grueshaber, and Ethan Grueshaber; 4...
Johnnie Wayne Gunter
Jun 4, 2026
Mr. Johnnie Wayne Gunter, age 78 of Mt. Airy, NC passed away Thursday, June 4, 2026 at the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home. He was born on July 16, 1947 in Surry County to the late James William and Zelma Jane Sawyers Gunter. He was a living husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Johnnie was known for his sense...
Michael "Mike" Dale Easter
Jun 2, 2026
Mr. Michael Dale Easter, 71 of Mount Airy, passed away peacefully with his family and friends by his side on Tuesday evening June 2, 2026, at Central Continuing Care in Mount Airy. He was born in Forsyth County, October 9, 1954, to the late Coy Ledford Easter and Ida Goldie “Marie” Cagle Easter. He retired from AQUA and was a...
Paul (Bones) Edwin Hull Jr.
Jun 1, 2026
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Paul (Bones) Edwin Hull, Jr., who peacefully departed this life on June 1, 2026, at the age of 91, surrounded by the love of his family in his cherished home in Mount Airy. Born on December 18, 1934, in the same town that he lovingly called home throughout his...
O. Kelly Vipperman
Jun 1, 2026
Mr. O. Kelly Vipperman, 71, of Mount Airy, passed away Monday, June 1, 2026, at Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem. Mr. Vipperman was born on January 7, 1955, in Forsyth County, the son of the late Arlis Wendell and Pauline Minnie Cook Vipperman. A dedicated truck driver for many years, he valued hard work and took pride in...
Nannie Mae Pack
May 31, 2026
Ms. Nannie Mae Pack, age 87 of Lawsonville, NC passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, May 31, 2026. She was born in Stokes Co., NC on March 9, 1939 to the late Harry Pack and Mary Holt Pack. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by four sisters, “Lou” Lucille Pruitt, Ada “Tom” Martin, Clara...
Mildred Hope Wood McBride
May 31, 2026
Mrs. Mildred Hope Wood McBride, age 76, of Pilot Mountain, passed away on Sunday, May 31, 2026 at Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem. She was born on November 2, 1949 in Surry County to the late Clyde Odell Wood and Bertha Harrison Wood Capps. Mrs. McBride retired from Cross Creek Apparel where she worked as a supervisor. After...
Stephen Ashley Patterson
May 30, 2026
Mr. Stephen Ashley Patterson, age 54 of Mount Airy, passed away Saturday evening May 30, 2026. He was born in Surry County on August 20, 1971, to Linda Gayle Shelton Patterson and the late Clay Reece “Pete” Patterson. He owned and operated Patterson Tire for some years before going to work for Kernersville Dodge, as long as his health permitted....
Patsy O'Neal Craig Hosey
May 30, 2026
Mrs. Patsy O’Neal Craig Hosey, age 81 of Lowgap, entered eternal rest on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at her home surrounded by her loving family. Mrs. Hosey was born on October 5, 1944, in Forsyth County to the late Richard Walter and Saddie Craddock Craig. Patsy was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend. She will be deeply...
Sharon Ann Shelor Helms
May 28, 2026
Mrs. Sharon Shelor Helms, age 77 of Patrick Springs, passed away Thursday, May 28, 2026 at her home. She was born in Patrick County on November 4, 1948 to the late Elroy Calvin Shelor and Erma V. Banks Shelor. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Helms was preceded in death by an infant brother and a sister, Betty Combs.
Sharon graduated...
Mildred "Millie" Shelton Beal
May 28, 2026
Mrs. Mildred “Millie” Shelton Beal, age 85, of Mount Airy, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on May 28, 2026, at the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home.
She was born in Surry County on November 1, 1940, to the late Frank Benton Shelton and Alice Adkins Shelton. Millie graduated from Mount Airy Senior High School and the North Carolina Baptist Hospital...
Eugene "Gene" Carl Turner
May 28, 2026
Mr. Eugene “Gene” Carl Turner, age 54, of Woolwine, passed away Thursday, May 28, 2026. He was born in Patrick County on June 25, 1971, to Albert Lane and Brenda Kathleene Thomas Turner. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother “Willie” Turner.
Gene was always willing to lend a helping hand and did so with a generous...
Freida Combs Semones
May 28, 2026
Mrs. Freida Combs Semones, age 85, of Mt. Airy passed away on Thursday, May 28, 2026 at Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem. She was born on December 28, 1940 in Carroll County to the late Howard and Goldie Jones Combs. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who will surely be missed by all who knew...
Geraldine (Benge) Martin
May 27, 2026
Mrs. Geraldine Benge Martin, age 87 of Mount Airy entered eternal rest on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at her home surrounded by her loving family. Mrs. Martin was born on January 6, 1939, in Surry County to the late Clarence Calloway and Ida Ellen Coe Benge. Geraldine was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend. She will be...
Patricia Carol Hylton Hicks
May 26, 2026
Mrs. Patricia Carol Hylton Hicks, age 52 of Woolwine passed away on Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at her home. She was born in Patrick County on April 30, 1974 to Benjamin Gilbert Hylton and Nancy Carol Salmons Hylton.
Patricia never met a stranger, she loved four-wheeling and getting as muddy as possible, crocheting, and diamond art.
She is survived by her husband...
Richard "Wallace" Durham, Sr.
May 26, 2026
Richard Wallace Durham, Sr., 87, of Ararat, NC passed away on Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at the Joan & Howard Woltz Hospice House in Dobson, NC after a long battle with congestive heart failure.
Wallace was born June 6, 1938 to Ellis and Alice (Flippin) Durham in Stokes County, NC. He graduated from Nancy Reynolds School in 1955 and began working...
Jack Wayne Key
May 25, 2026
Mr. Jack Wayne Key, age 92 of Dobson, NC, passed away peacefully at the Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home on May 25, 2026. Mr. Key was born in Surry County on December 17, 1933 to the late Lillie Ethel Wall and Ernest Key. Jack dutifully served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War conflict. Upon...
James Arnold Smith
May 25, 2026
Mr. James Arnold Smith, 93, of Mount Airy, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday night, May 25, 2026. Mr. Smith was born October 6, 1932, in Surry County, one of four children born to the late Bert Clarence and Mary Beth Midkiff Smith. James faithfully served his country in the United States Army, an experience...


