Faye McDuffie Gardner

Faye McDuffie Gardner, 87, of Winston-Salem, NC, peacefully passed away on Thursday, August 29, 2024, at Forsyth Medical Center. Faye was the oldest of four children born to the late David P. McDuffie and Esta Mae Edwards McDuffie. She was married to Reaves Gardner who died in 2001.

Faye was a graduate of Griffith High School, Salem College, and received her master’s degree from UNC-Greensboro. She was a dedicated elementary school teacher at the Moravian Children’s Home in Kwethluk Alaska, then in Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools, and Davie County Schools, retiring from Pinebrook Elementary. Until her retirement, Faye could often be found grading papers or writing lesson plans while visiting her mother on Sunday afternoons.

Faye loved her church. She was a member of Oak Grove Moravian Church and until she fell in early 2023, she was active in the Women’s Fellowship, Senior Friends, as a Sunday School teacher, past Board of Elders member, and she played the alto saxophone in the Church band. She was also active in the Winston-Salem New Horizons Band. Faye loved to toot her horn!

In addition to her parents, Faye was preceded in death by her husband; her two brothers and sisters-in-law, David and Carol McDuffie and Jim and Gale McDuffie; and a special nephew, Keith (Pete) Smith.

She is survived by Pete’s girls, Ryan Smith Ross and Brittany Ann Smith, and their children, Cole Ross and Knox Smith. She loved and treasured her relationship with them and their mom, Terri Seelig. She especially loved being called Maw Maw. 

Faye is also survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Kathy and Harold Meacombs; nieces and nephews, Kerry McDuffie (Sharon), Lynn Fleming (Wydell), Leigh Goodin (Brian), Laurie Lockwood (Bruce), Christi Lubenco (Marcelo), and Wesley Meacombs; and great nieces and nephews, Kaitie Lockwood, Jessie Lockwood, Avery Lubenco, Emily Grace Lubenco, Jordan Goodin, Morgan Fleming, Whitney Soden, Jennifer Eidemiller, and Bradley McDuffie. 

A celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at Oak Grove Moravian Church with Pastor David Berrier presiding. The family will greet those in attendance in the fellowship hall following the service. The family asks that those attending the celebration of life wear bright colors. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials to Oak Grove Moravian Church, 120 Hammock Farm Road, Winston-Salem 27105; Sunnyside Ministry of the Moravian Church, 319 Haled Street, Winston-Salem NC 27107; or Laurel Ridge Camp and Conference Center of the Moravian Church, 124 Pendry Drive, Laurel Springs, NC 28644 for camp scholarships. 

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Faye’s church friends who stayed in touch and made sure she went to Senior Friends when she could, the staff of Forest Heights Senior Living, and her very special friends there.

Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com

Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel is assisting the Gardner family.