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Edward Denard Byers, 43, of 4260 Brownsboro Road, Apt. B-25, Winston-Salem, known to many by “Ed” and to his family as “Poochie,” passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, March 13, 2008, at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. He was born March 26, 1964, in Winston-Salem to Amos Byers Jr. and Ella Mae Byers. He was a member of Rising Ebenezer Baptist Church, which he attended all of his life. Mr. Byers was a 1983 graduate of Parkland High School and a 1988 alumnus of Winston-Salem State University. During his athletic career, Ed received a full scholarship for football at WSSU under former coach Bill Hayes. After college, he tried out for the NFL Cincinnati Bengals. He was inducted into Parkland High School Sports Hall of Fame for excellence in football, where his jersey “No. 44” was retired. He was named All-American and played in state play-offs and championships. Ed was currently employed by Guilford County Scales Learning Center, Greensboro, and with WTB New Vision as a resident counselor. During his career, he was an assistant coach for the Greensboro Prowlers Semi-Professional Football Team, assistant coach at West Forsyth High School-football, WSSU Summer Camp-football director, coach for Little League football, various teachers’ assistants for the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County school system, Douglas Battery and Sara Lee Textiles. He was preceded in death by his father; and two brothers, Ozzie Johnson and Maurice Byers. Left to cherish his memories are his wife, Robin Wilborn Byers of Winston-Salem; three sons, Shelton Davis Sr., Monterio Davis and Juwaan Woodbury, all of Winston-Salem; two grandsons, Shelton Davis Jr. and Jaiheem Davis; five stepchildren; two sisters, Gwendolyn Byers and Aretha Byers, both of Winston-Salem; three brothers, Rodney (Stacy) Byers Sr., Vernon (Esthelita) Byers and Tony Ray Crosby, all of Winston-Salem; an uncle, Earl (Patricia) Byers of Winston-Salem; a great-uncle, George Smith of Gaffney, S.C.; an aunt, Wilhemenia Byers of Winston-Salem; two special friends, Darnella “Dee” McIntyre and Ernest Tanner, both of Winston-Salem; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Funeral services were conducted Thursday, March 20, at New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church, with the Rev. William Brown of Rising Ebenezer Baptist Church officiating. Interment followed in Evergreen Cemetery. A special thank you to all the coaches Ed served under and those he served with. Online condolences may be made at www.russellfuneralservice.com. (Russell)
Jennifer Nicole Fishel
FISHEL LAND O’ LAKES, Fla. - Jennifer Nicole Fishel, 32, of Land O’ Lakes, daughter of David B. Fishel and Rita Van Duser, passed away Sunday, March 16, 2008, at her home, in her sleep. Jennifer was born Feb. 24, 1976, in Winston-Salem, N.C. A graduate of West Forsyth High School, she held a Bachelor’ s degree in marketing from UNC-Wilmington. Her passion was fine food, and after college she began a 10-year career in catering and food marketing. She worked for Winston-Salem area firms until 2003 when she moved to the Tampa area and continued her career, serving as a manager and marketing director for two restaurant chains. Beginning in October 2006, she lived a dream, serving as the chef on a charter yacht sailing from St. Thomas in the Caribbean for eight months. Although she had a unique talent for dropping electronic equipment overboard, the pleasure her clients expressed with her food and service was one of the sincere joys of her life. At the time of her death, she was a student at the Florida Art Institute’ s School of Culinary Arts and was ranked in the top of her class. She was also a food and restaurant columnist for Manatee Media Inc., publishers of a chain of weekly newspapers in the Tampa area. Her love of fine food was only slightly greater than her devotion to University of North Carolina basketball. When her Heels were on the court, nothing else mattered, and now she will be in the front row for every game. She is survived by her mother, Rita Van Duser of Venice; her father and stepmother, David and Patti Fishel of Land O’ Lakes; her beloved paternal grandmother, Ruth Fishel; and her maternal grandparents, Charles and Janet West of Winston-Salem. She is also survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Craig and Susan Fishel; two nieces, Eden and Cecily; and a nephew, David Anthony, all of Marietta, Ga.; and Kemer Petty of Winston-Salem, her true and loyal friend. Other survivors include her uncle and aunt, Randy and Amy West of Clemmons, N.C.; aunt and uncle Cathy and Sam Hutchins of Beaufort, N.C.; and her aunt, Carol Cawley of Albuquerque, N.M. In keeping with her expressed wishes, Jennifer will be cremated and her ashes scattered on a quiet beach where she can always be near the ocean and watch the sunsets. Jennifer was not one for memorials and flowers. Instead, for those who loved her and wish to remember her, the greatest respect she could be paid would be to spend a few minutes with her thinking about her words, written a few months before her death: “This is my advice to you. Live life to its fullest. Love and enjoy every moment. Have no regrets. Feel everything good and bad as it is. It is worth it. Know peace. Know love. Know energy. Know light. It will change your life.”
Anna Martin
Mrs. Anna Martin, “Ann,” of 3517 Glenn Ave., Winston-Salem, passed away Tuesday, March 18, 2008, at Forsyth Medical Center. She was a native of Clemmons and a retired employee of Thomasville Furniture Co. She was a member of St. John Baptist Church, where she was a member of the Senior Choir. She is survived by a daughter, Nedith Woods of Killeen, Texas; two sons, David Martin of the city and Richard Martin of the home; 17 grandchildren; a host of great-grandchildren; and a host nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends. Funeral services were conducted Monday, March 24, at St. John Baptist Church, with the Rev. Leonard Lewis officiating. Interment followed in Evergreen Cemetery.
Irene Hire Blakeley
Mrs. Irene Hire Blakeley, 79, of Winston-Salem passed away Sunday, March 23, 2008 at Forsyth Medical Center. She was born June 24, 1928 in Forsyth County to Glenn Franklin and Zora Etta King Hire. She was a loving mother, grandmother and a special mamaw to everyone she knew. Mrs. Blakeley was a member of Clemmons First Baptist Church and retired from Jostens’ Publishing Company. She was preceded in death by her husband, Cecil E. Blakeley and a sister, Bonnie H. Odom. Surviving are a daughter, Glenda Diane Phillips of Winston-Salem; a granddaughter, Christy Medeiros and husband, Mike of Winston-Salem; a great grandson, Ethan Medeiros (Boo) who was special to her heart; two sisters, Mozelle H. Pickle of Clemmons and Exie H. Branon of Winston-Salem; a brother, Ray T. Hire of Winston-Salem; four nephews and six nieces. A graveside service will be held 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 26 at Westlawn Gardens of Memory in Clemmons with Dr. Robert Phillips. There is no stated visitation. The family and friends are welcome to visit the family at the home of Christy Medeiros.
On-line condolences may be sent to www.hayworth-miller.com (Hayworth-Miller Kinderton Chapel)