Deaths — April 4

Published 12:00 am Thursday, April 3, 2025

Sam Gray Hardister Jr.

Sam Gray Hardister Jr. graced this world from July 16, 1927, until December 26, 2024. Born in Iredell County to Sam Gray Hardister Sr. and Nellie Gray Hillard-Hardister, Sam was a beloved member of the Winston-Salem community.

An athlete throughout his youth, he excelled at Hanes High School, graduating in 1946. Despite the loss of his siblings and grandson-in-law, Sam remained a pillar of strength. His love story with high school sweetheart Dorothy “Dot” Lou Kates led to a family filled with love, welcoming three sons: Sam III, Toby and Steven. The passing of Dorothy left a profound void in his heart.

Sam began his career in 1951 at Hanes Hosiery and later worked at RJR Archer Aluminum Company. He gave back to the community by coaching baseball for the Southwest Little League Association and was a devoted member of Fairview Moravian Church.

A lover of the outdoors, he cherished fishing trips and deep-sea adventures with his sons. His passion for woodworking led him to create small gifts for family, and he enjoyed bowling at Northside Bowling Lanes for many years. Gardening was another joy, nurturing beauty in his home gardens.

Sam’s grandfatherly pride was evident during his grandsons’ state high school football championship victories in 2009 and 2013. He is survived by sons Toby Hardister (Rhonda), Steven Hardister, daughter-in-law Pat Hardister, grandchildren Jennifer, Amy, John, Stephanie, Adam, Joshua and several great-grandchildren.

Sam’s legacy of warmth and kindness will forever remain in his family’s hearts. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 5, 2025, at Fairview Moravian Church, 6550 Silas Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem. This will be followed by a graveside service at God’s Acre Moravian Cemetery (Old Salem) in Winston-Salem.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Sam’s memory to the Fairview Moravian Church.

Charles Douglas “Pete” Lowder

Charles Douglas “Pete” Lowder, 96, of Clemmons passed away after a brief illness and surrounded by his family on March 26, 2025. Mr. Lowder was born Dec. 20, 1928, in Forsyth County to Edgar “Ed” Clarence Lowder and Alice L. Matthews Lowder. His formative years were spent in Clemmons, and at an early age he was instilled the principles of strong faith and work ethic thus becoming the epitome of self-sacrifice and generosity.

In 1951, Charles enlisted in the U.S. Army and trained with the 50th Signal Battalion Corps. He proudly and honorably served in the Korean War with the 24th Army Infantry Division.

He founded Charles D. Lowder, Inc. in 1953 and established a successful site-grading company based on dedicated commitment to his values of trust and quality service. He retired in 2014 at the age of 85.

For leisurely pursuits, Charles was an enthusiastic traveler, a voracious reader and a bountiful gardener. A lifelong Baptist, he was a devoted member of Calvary Baptist Church of Winston-Salem.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents and first wife, Mary Ann Bobbitt Lowder, the mother of his children; son, William Todd Lowder; granddaughter, Melissa Gail Lowder; brothers, Clarence Edward “Bill” Lowder, Joe Buck Lowder, and Samuel Lewis Lowder; sisters, Martha Marie Haynes, Peggy Gene Redding, Nancy Mildred McKnight, Jane Katherine Smith, and Carolyn Faye Tate; half-siblings, Alice Virginia Smith, William Anthony “Tony” Lowder, and Kathleen Elizabeth Lowder.

He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Mary Katherine Sherrill Lowder; sons, Charles Daniel “Danny” and Marvin Eugene “Gene” of Clemmons; stepson, Marcus Kevin Sumner (Shannon) of Nashville, Tennessee; and daughter-in-law, Pamela R. Lowder of Clemmons.

In addition, he is survived by six grandchildren, Lisa Michelle Ashley (Adam), Kristi Danielle Pilkenton (Aaron), Katherine “Katie” Elizabeth Munn (Spencer), Shelby Anne Lowder, Caitlin Nicole Leftwich (Scottie), William Zachary “Zack” Lowder; two step-grandchildren William Blake Ellis (Melynn) and Benjamin “Ben” Philip Ellis; eight great-grandchildren, Dylan Keith (Sydney), Lauren Paige and Jacob Tyler Ashley; Abigail “Abby” Grace and Stella Kate Pilkenton; Oliver Beasley Munn; Sarah Fayth and Rylynn Elizabeth Leftwich; one step-great-grandchild, Rylie Rae Ellis; one great-great-grandchild Saylor Mae Ashley; sister, Linda Lou Bailey of Lewisville.

A funeral service was held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 29, 2025, at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel with Rev. Truett Williams officiating. The service was livestreamed at www.hayworth-miller.com. A private entombment will occur at the Westlawn Gardens of Memory Mausoleum Chapel in Clemmons at a later date.

The family received friends immediately following the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be donated to the Missions Ministry, Calvary Baptist Church at 134 S. Peace Haven Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27104.

• • •

• Mrs. Darla Sykes Bates, 84, passed away on Sunday, March 30, 2025.

• Betty Jean Elliott Thomerson, 79, passed away peacefully in the early morning of March 29, 2025, in Clemmons. 

• Jean C. Morrissette, 78, concluded her physical journey on Thursday, March 27, 2025.

• Ann Qualtrough Williams Skok, 91, passed away on March 26, 2025.

• Mrs. Helen Gillen Hunt, 88, passed away at Salemtowne on March 25, 2025. 

• Mr. Edwin Hampton “Eddie” Brown III, 80, passed away Monday, March 24, 2025, at Forsyth Medical Center. 

• Margaret McCann Hartis, 84, passed away on March 24, 2025, at Forsyth Medical Center. 

• Mr. Charles “Charlie” Ladd Freeman Sr., 96, passed away Tuesday, March 25, 2025. 

• Mr. John Webster Pope, 70, passed away surrounded by his family on Saturday, March 22, 2025.

• Mae Saumier Danboise, 88, passed away March 22, 2025.

• Richard Alan Butler, 86, of Clemmons passed away on Sunday, March 23, 2025.