A funeral service for Melvin Reid will be held at noon on May 13 at Praise Assembly Church Ministries, 3254 Kernersville Road, in Winston-Salem. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to noon at the church.

Mr. Reid was familiar to many at Wake Forest as a long-time driver for the University’s shuttle bus system. He died May 6.

The University is saddened to inform faculty and staff that Melvin Reid, familiar to many on campus as a long-time driver for the University’s shuttle bus system, died May 6 while on duty.

Reid suffered a fatal health incident after driving his empty University van to a nearby apartment complex on the morning of May 6. No one had boarded the van at the time he became ill. An ambulance took him to a Winston-Salem hospital. He did not recover.

The University grieves Reid’s loss and extend its condolences to his family and friends, as well as those at Wake Forest — including many co-workers — who had the opportunity to know him.

Reid joined Wake Forest’s staff in 2003. He retired in 2012, but was driving for the University on a part-time basis since retirement.

Wake Forest offers support and counseling services for all students, faculty and staff. The Counseling Center may be reached at 758-5273, the Chaplain’s Office at 758-5210. For faculty and staff, there is also the Employee Assistance Program at 716-5493.

When available, the University will share information on services arranged by his family.

Wake Forest will hold a memorial service for Christian Medved on Feb. 13 at 4 p.m. in Wait Chapel. All are invited.

A first-year student, Medved died last week in his hometown of Pleasanton, Calif.

Longtime religion professor Carlton T. Mitchell (’43) remained devoted to his alma mater long after he retired in 1991. As president of the University’s Half Century Club — for alumni who graduated 50 or more years ago — he encouraged alumni to remain active and welcomed them back to campus every fall.

Mitchell, who died Jan. 30 in Winston-Salem, is being remembered for his service to the University as a professor, alumnus and volunteer leader. He was 92. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Feb. 16 in Wait Chapel. He is survived by two daughters, Grace Mitchell and Betty Morgan; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. His wife, Miriam, died in 2000. He was also predeceased by a son, John Robert Mitchell.

Read his full obituary and sign his guestbook »

Mitchell joined the faculty in 1961 and taught American church history, religious education and the psychology of religion. When he retired in 1991, he was recognized as “a great friend whose sound judgment and good humor exemplify the intellectual vitality, compassion and faith that fulfill Wake Forest’s mission.”

He enthusiastically served as president of the Half Century Club until stepping down several years ago for health reasons. Bob Mills (’71, MBA ’80), associate vice president for University Advancement, recalls having Mitchell for classes in Old and New Testament and, years later, his service as a volunteer leader. “That deep, deliberate, precise voice of his still rings in my ears. And in his retirement, if it had been possible for someone to be our eternal president of the Half Century Club, he would have accepted the job happily.”

Professor Emeritus of Religion Fred Horton remembered Mitchell as a great friend and a strong department chair. “He was a very straight-forward guy and a defender of academic freedom.” Continue reading »

Al Hill, who worked at Wake Forest for more than 35 years, died on Dec. 24 at age 73.

Hill, who started work at WFU in 1972, served as an investigator, chief of police and director of public safety. He also worked for Residence Life & Housing in the Deacon OneCard office.

Read the Journal’s story about Hill »

Read Hill’s obituary and sign his guestbook »

Donna Wesley, the office manager for the Documentary Film Program, died Sunday, Dec. 16, after a brief illness. Wesley handled the administrative, accounting and reception functions for the program’s faculty and students. She was 57.

Read her obituary, sign the guestbook »

Former staffer David Fyten died Nov. 21 at age 65. Fyten served in several roles — assistant vice president for Public Affairs, University Editor and editor of Wake Forest Magazine — from 1991 until his retirement in 2002. Fyten continued to write for the magazine for a number of years after his retirement.

See Fyten’s obituary and guest book on the Winston-Salem Journal’s website »

With great sadness and appreciation, Wake Forest acknowledges the passing of two giants in the University’s history: Weston Hatfield (’41) and Michael Farrell (P ’10). While these extraordinary leaders from different backgrounds and different eras may not have met, they shared a love for Wake Forest. Through their gifts and talents, each leaves an important and long-lasting legacy.

Read President Hatch’s essay on the lives of Hatfield and Farrell »

Read more from the News Center »

John Worley, who worked for 25 years for Facilities at Wake Forest, died on Oct. 28 in Winston-Salem. He was 91.

Read Worley’s obituary and sign his guestbook »

Former professor Annette LeSiege, who chaired the music department during an important transition period, has died.

LeSiege, who died on Aug. 26 in Marina, Calif., served on the faculty from 1975 to 1982 and was chair of the music department for much of that time.

She was an accomplished classical composer who wrote more than 70 pieces that have been performed throughout the U.S. and around the world. One of her compositions, “Confusion Breathes …” premiered at the dedication of the music wing of the Scales Fine Arts Center in 1982.

“She was a wonderful teacher, warm, compassionate and kind,” said Professor of Music Teresa Radomski, who came to Wake Forest two years after LeSiege. Continue reading »