John Freel Fender

Mr. John Freel Fender, 89, of Winston-Salem passed away Tuesday, March 10, 2015. He was born on August 3, 1925 in Surry County to the late Henry Freel Fender and Zollie Blevins Fender. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Sarah Kathleen Potts Fender, on January 4, 2015, and two sisters, Alma Fender Bedsaul and Rosa Lee Fender. Mr. Fender was a long time member of Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church for more than sixty years. He was a Sunday School Teacher, Lay Minister, and served on many committees including the building committee. He had a personal ministry of delivering Teddy Bears to the sick and shut-ins at his church. Throughout the years in his community he served as a member of the Griffith Volunteer Fire Department, and leader of the local Boy Scouts Of America. He enjoyed growing Christmas trees and raising cattle on his farm in Glade Valley, NC with his family. He was a sergeant in the US Army during World War II and served in the South Pacific. Mr. Fender was employed at Hanes, RJR Archer, and retired from Gravely Tractor Company. He is survived by three daughters; Patricia Doyle, Priscilla Watson, and Pamela Stockert(James); five grandchildren, Melissa Boswell(William), Peggy Nuckolls(Chris), Christy Hammond(Corey), Jason Stockert(Brandy), and Rebecca Dickenson(Calvin); ten great-grandchildren; two nieces: Carol Hutchins(Sid) of Winston-Salem, Kathy Bradstreet(Dick) of Michigan, and one nephew; Roger Bedsaul( Vicky) of Massachusetts. The funeral service will be held at 11am, Friday, March 13, 2015 at Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church with the Rev. Chuck Halipilias and Jim Allred officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:00 to 10:45am prior to the service. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church, 4265 Ebert Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27127. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.

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