Ways of Life: Charlotte's former first lady, who lived a life of grace

Also remembered: Businessman who built Conder Flag Co.; longtime volunteer at Carmel Baptist; former business professor at UNC Charlotte; a communications director for Coca-Cola Consolidated

You’re reading Ways of Life, a weekly obituaries newsletter from The Charlotte Ledger honoring our friends, neighbors and family members who made an impact on Charlotte through the ways they lived their lives.

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Judy Vinroot, wife of former Charlotte mayor Richard Vinroot, found her own way toward love and service

Judy and Richard Vinroot were married for 59 years before cancer took Judy at 81. (Photo courtesy of the family)

by Ken Garfield

Judy Vinroot held tight, literally and spiritually, to “A Quaker Book of Wisdom” and one passage above all. “Live a life of simplicity, love, and service. Let your life speak, and trust that your children will learn by your example.”

That is what she did until her long struggle with cancer ended on March 6. She was at home, surrounded by family, her son the doctor providing end-of-life care. Judy, in fact, was herself until the day before she died at 81, rolling her eyes at most everything her husband, Richard, was saying.

Judith Lee Allen Vinroot, 5 feet 3 inches tall, was a giant in the ways that mattered most.

Raised in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., she found her place in North Carolina, starting at UNC Chapel Hill. She earned a bachelor of arts degree in education, was a class officer, cheerleader and member of the Tri Delta sorority. One day during her freshman year, she was walking across campus when a member of the basketball team, a lanky junior from Charlotte named Richrd Vinroot, spotted her from afar. Looking back, the family said, it was love at first sight for him. For her not so much, they noted with a collective smile.

They were married, settled in Charlotte, raised three children and spent 59 glorious years together.

What an extraordinary couple. He was 6 feet 8 and she was the aforementioned 5 feet 3. He got into politics and served as Charlotte’s Republican mayor from 1991 to 1995. He later waged three unsuccessful campaigns for N.C. governor. Even if she didn’t always agree with Hizzoner, it rarely led to debate. “I don’t need to tell him because I’m right,” she’d say to her kids.

Judy found her own way to live a life of simplicity, love and service. She taught first grade at Oakhurst Elementary School in Charlotte. She tutored young mothers to attain their GED through the Even Start Program. She taught adult literacy classes at Central Piedmont Community College. After Carolina, she earned a master’s degree in adult literacy at Appalachian State University. At Myers Park Presbyterian Church, she taught Sunday school for children with disabilities. As a Stephen minister there, she provided a listening ear and heart to people who needed to talk.

Judy Vinroot appreciated but did not dwell on the trappings of success. She rarely talked about herself, preferring to talk about you. After she died, her doctors and nurses shared how she spent the first 15 minutes of each appointment asking about their families and vacations, remembering exactly where they left off last time. Those who knew her agreed: Her magnetism lifted your spirits. Her smile spoke of the joy she found in loving family, neighbors, strangers, especially the ones in need. In so doing, she let her life speak.

In keeping with her wishes, the family shared news of her death in an obituary that dispensed with frills. It was just the facts, just as she ordered, no need to seek glory in death because she never sought it in life.

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I’ve been humbled to write many of these profiles ever since The Ledger began telling the stories of lives whether celebrated or unsung. For years I’ve also been writing obituaries for families. Here’s what I’ve learned: Many lives fall short of the longevity and rewards they deserve. A bad diagnosis or the cruel vagaries of this world see to that. And yet most people in my experience wind up at death’s door at peace with what has passed and whatever they believe is to come. They have forgiven, whatever the injustice. They await what is next.

Here is what Laura Vinroot Poole said about her mom, who suffered the last 2½ years of her life with cancer. You might say the same about your loved one, and smile knowing that grace wins out.

“She was the tiniest person with more guts than I could ever imagine. She fought a battle that she was never going to win and never gave up hope.”

Ken Garfield is a freelance writer/editor. Reach him at garfieldken3129@gmail.com.

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Other obituaries this week:

Cheryl Wilson Allman, 63, of Charlotte was a 1978 graduate of Garinger High School and grew up attending Albemarle Road Presbyterian Church in Charlotte. Cheryl will be remembered for her great sense of humor, her gift of laughter and a strong will that got her through the toughest times in life. 

William Gerald Austin, 87, of Marshville worked for Douglas Aircraft, where he manufactured planes. He then moved to Folger Buick in Charlotte, where he had a 35-year career as a car salesman. Bill served three years in the Air Force.

Evoydeene “Ebbie” Warren Bailey, 98, of Charlotte attended First Baptist Church in Charlotte. She was active in almost all phases of its outreach, such as teaching Sunday school for the young adults class, helping at vacation Bible school, and serving on the committee that relocated the church and planned the new church’s construction. She attended Kings Business College.

Margaret Joan King Bates, 81, of Mint Hill graduated from high school and went on to work for Duke Power and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. After retirement, Joan moved to Myrtle Beach, where she lived for almost 15 years. She loved living at the beach.

Charles Clifford Blythe, 84, of Charlotte devoted 58 years of service at Carmel Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, including as a church elder. He enjoyed giving back to his community through his volunteer work with Room at the Inn.

James L. “Lefty” Cook, 92 of Concord was a truck driver for Akers Motor Lines in Charlotte and Consolidated Freightways, from where he retired. He was an avid NASCAR fan. Lefty served in the famed 101st Airborne Division of the U.S. Army during the Korean War. 

Patricia “Pat” Cooper, 83, of Charlotte attended Carmel Baptist Church for more than 45 years, where Pat served in a variety of ways. Always loving babies in the preschool department, she worked at Carmel’s mother’s morning out program — WEE school —for many years. She enjoyed traveling, whether it be in the Tennessee mountains, Myrtle Beach, cruises and more. Pat enjoyed Southern cooking, crocheting, playing cards, working puzzles, creating greeting cards, gardening, caring for birds and cuddling with her fur baby.

Ernie Clinton Creech Jr., 73, of Charlotte grew Conder Flag Co. in Charlotte from his father-in-law’s small corner store into an industry leader. He was a founding member of the NIFDA (National Independent Flag Dealers Association) Organization. Creech’s work through Conder Flag brought acclaim to his Charlotte business and it was recently honored when they received the 2023 Small Business of the Year award through the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. [Corrected March 12 at 2 p.m. to correct name of Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority.] Ernie was a faithful member of Calvary Church. He graduated from Harding High School in 1968.

Harold George Deal, 81, of Charlotte had a long career in finance and retired from Bank of America. He served as president of Leadership Charlotte, a board member of United Way, lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus and church youth group volunteer. He continued his volunteering into retirement. Harold read several books a week and spent hours tending to his garden. He enjoyed traveling the world and spending time at the beach.

Jennylin Esguerra, 55, of Charlotte worked for Greiner Bio-One in Charlotte, where she was a quality control inspector. Jennylin loved working with her hands in arts and crafts, drawing and coloring. She also loved the outdoors and enjoyed photography.

Jean Graham Ford, 91, of Charlotte answered her call by leading a women’s Bible study for 25 years, co-founding Women of Vision (Charlotte) and contributing to the life of her church as an elder and leader at Myers Park Presbyterian. Jean was the last surviving sibling of iconic evangelist Billy Graham.

Joshua Mark Gelinas, 48, of Charlotte directed communications for Coca-Cola Consolidated, where he was vice president of communications in Charlotte. He was an active, enthusiastic member of Waypoint Church. Josh was a 4.5 tennis player and avid golfer. In his off time, Josh enjoyed giving back to the community through Let Me Run, First Tee, and tennis lessons for those in need. He passed away suddenly of a pulmonary embolism.

Gary William Hollifield Jr., moved to Charlotte in 1966 and worked with the Charlotte Observer as an apprentice printer and moonlighted as a newspaper carrier. He took to newspapers like a duck took to water and retired from the Observer as the pre-press manager after 34 years of service. He was a 32nd-degree Mason of the Scottish Rite and a member of the Oasis Shriners in Charlotte. Johnny enjoyed spending time working in the yard at his mountain home in Micaville and trout fishing along the South Toe River.

William “Bill” H McKinley, 85, of Cramerton became employed by R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. and moved to Charlotte to work in the retail market. Bill served as a deacon for many years at Robinson Presbyterian Church and Back Creek ARP in Charlotte. He had a passion for NASCAR racing. Bill held season tickets for over 50 years and has his picture on the wall at the speedway.

Dick Thomas Schafer, 87, of Charlotte moved here in 2019 and joined St. John’s Baptist Church in Charlotte, where he participated in the “encourager’s class” and food and refugee/immigrant support committees.

Kevin Toomb, 74, of Dayton, Ohio, was a clinical professor of marketing in the Belk College of Business at UNC Charlotte. Being on the board of Countryside Montessori School in Charlotte was a privilege and passion for Kevin. He would visit classrooms weekly, reading aloud from his favorite books and sharing with students his passion for reading.

Juanita Pettice White, 96, of Charlotte was hired in 1945 by the Charlotte Mecklenburg Board of Education to serve her alma mater, Second Ward High School, where she taught language arts and French. Juanita also taught French and English at Hawthorne Junior High and at Ranson Junior High before retiring from Ranson in 1987. She graduated near the top of her class from Second Ward High School in 1944. Juanita was an active church member for over 50 years at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church of Charlotte. She loved to travel and dance.

Ways of Life condensed obituaries are compiled by Darrell Horwitz.

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Ways of Life editor: Craig Paddock