Merilyn "Elaine" Tesh

Mrs. Merilyn “Elaine” Gore (Willis) Tesh, of Winston Salem, NC, joined the Angels in Heaven surrounded in love by her family, Tuesday morning, February 1, 2022, at Forsyth Medical Center. She was born on December 19, 1945, to Howard Mason Gore and Ethel Marie McClamrock Gore at Camp Lejeune Marine base in Onslow County. She was voted the prettiest baby born on the base. Her beauty never stopped growing as she grew into the most beautiful person inside and out. She loved her faith, family, creating memories that last, and spreading the love and joy of Jesus.

Elaine grew up with her Mother and second Dad (Anthony ‘Tony” W. Lowder) in Winston Salem and spent summers on her grandparents farm in Mocksville, NC. She attended Southwest High School and graduated from there in 1963. After high school, Elaine attended Forsyth Technical School for two years, where she was a member of the first student council and earned a two-year business degree.

She worked approximately seven years for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company in marketing and engineering as a secretary, until the birth of her daughter, Michelle in 1972. She returned to work in the early 80’s as a transcriber for Petree Stockton law firm then a District Secretary for Moore Business Forms. In 1995, she became a commercial property owner/manager, retiring in 2015 due to health concerns.

On November 27, 1987, Elaine and Larry Tesh were married at Friedberg Moravian Church and she became a member there. They were very active in the church and members of the Willing Worker Sunday school class. Elaine enjoyed playing clarinet in the Moravian Easter Band at Old Salem. Elaine and Larry also enjoyed Bishop Bob Iobst’s Saturday morning prayer breakfasts.

Her powerful faith and testimony was shared with everyone around her, particularly in the crafted Angel pins she gave away as gifts. She participated in Campus Crusade for Christ and Women’s Bible Study Fellowship of Winston-Salem.

Her whole family was the light of her life. She always said that her grandchildren were the three babies that she couldn’t carry to term. They were a big part of her life and she helped raise them too. Elaine will be remembered by all that knew her for her contagious smile, positive attitude, kind faithful spirit, and the greatest of these is love.

Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, second Dad, and brother, Danny Wayne Gore. Surviving are her husband, Larry Evans Tesh; daughter, Merilyn “Michelle” Willis-Ali; 3 grandchildren, Anthony “Tony” C. Beaver, Michael E. Beaver, all of Winston Salem, and Merilyn “Alicia” (Beaver) Condia (Ricky) of Mocksville,NC.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00pm on Monday, February 7, 2022, at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel. Pastors Jimmy Newsome and Dan Nelson will officiate. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Methodist Church Cemetery in Mocksville. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Please consider donations made to Friedberg Moravian Church, 2178 Friedberg Church Rd., Winston-Salem, NC 27127; or The Alzheimer’s Foundation; 8180 Greensboro Drive, Suite 400 McLean, VA 22102. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.