Mrs. Gwendolyn Hunter Ashley, affectionately known to many as "Mrs. J.D." formerly of 1625 E. Third Street passed away on Thursday, June 28, 2007 at the Fitzgerald Health Center at Arbor Acres. She was born in Shelby , NC on September 26, 1912 and was the only child of the Reverend and Mrs. John Anderson and Essie Maie Hunter. Her parents were both natives of Shelby .

Most of her childhood was spent in North Carolina , Virginia , and several parts of the cities and areas of the Eastern Seaboard, where her father was serving as pastor in the CME Church (now United Methodist; including Winston-Salem's Reynolds Temple ).

At the age of 12, her parents enrolled their only daughter in the Boarding Department of Paine College in Augusta , GA where she graduated from high school.

While attending Hampton University , Dr. R. Nathaniel Deft selected a talented group of youth between the ages of 17-21 to compose an acapella choir. This group included Gwendolyn Hunter. Beginning in the spring quarter, these young people sailed to Europe where they toured 11 countries and appeared in such famous places as Paris , London , Vienne , and other metropolitan areas. The tour received a wonderful response on the continent and some of their concerts were attended by royalty.

Upon returning, Mrs. Ashley continued her education in the field of music at Winston-Salem State and was employed at Carver High School as Director of the Glee Club. She also taught in the elementary grades for more than 30 years.

In 1936 after teaching with Mr. John D. "J.D." Ashley in Dendron, VA for a year, they became Mr. and Mrs. Ashley and moved to 1712 E. First Street where they lived and reared their family. Both were civic-minded and were role models in the city, county, and surrounding areas.

At St. Paul United Methodist Church , Mrs. Ashley was a member of the Senior Choir and served as the pianist for Sunday school, the Youth Choir, Men's Choir, and United Methodist Women. Other offices held at St. Paul included Coordinator of Global Ministries (U.M.W.), Lay Leader, Sunday school teacher- adult class, Devotional Leader for the Carrie Mayfield Bible Study Group and a speaker for the New Members Welcome Committee which duties included "Acquainting new members with the history of St. Paul U.M.Church." She was proud of her heritage as a "P.K." and credited much of her success in life to her ministerial family upbringing.

She was a life member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. since 1938 and received an appreciation gift in 1995 from the Eastern Region.

Mr. Ashley who was principal at Fourteenth Street School departed this life in 1978 and later Ashley School was named for him.

In the community, Mrs. Ashley served as a member of the Winston-Salem Transit Authority from 1975-1981. She received certificates of appreciation from the State of North Carolina for service rendered to the "Meals on Wheels" in 1986. As a member of the Winston-Salem Chapter of The Moles she served in several offices from 1960 through the years. In 1981 she was co-chair for the annual Conclave which met in Winston-Salem . Other groups claiming her attention included: The Sigma Shadows, The Ole Carver Faculty, the Birthday Club at University Place where she resided, the Bethlehem Center in which she served as the Board President, and the YWCA branches on Patterson Avenue and Glade Street . She was also a member of the Board of Directors of the Society for the Study of African-American History and the Senior Democrats of Forsyth County and the Sate of North Carolina.

Mrs. Ashley was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a son, Michael Ashley; and a son-in-law, Albert Miller.

She leaves to cherish her memories her daughter, Elsie Ashley Miller of Stamford , CT ; daughter-in-law, June Ashley of Wallingford , CT ; four grandchildren, Michael Ashley, II. of Wallingford, CT, Terry Ashley of Miami, FL, Scott and Gabrielle Miller both of Stamford, CT; two great-grandchildren, Durand LaFontaine and Taylor Lynne Ashley; her goddaughter, Satia Orange and her family of Chicago, IL.; a cousin, Dr. Virginia Henderson of Charlotte, NC; a special "daughter", Dr. Sadie (James) Webster of Winston-Salem, NC; several nieces, Eleanor Ragsdale of Phoenix, AZ, Aleathia Davis of West Palm Beach, FL, Bernice Dukes of Gainesville, FL, Constance Ramseur of Clayton, NJ, Alice Ashley of Capahosic, VA, and Gwendolyn Young of Darby, PA; several nephews; special friends, Velma Friende, Bobbie Jean Collins, and Pamela Hall all of Winston-Salem, NC; her church family at St. Paul U.M. Church; and a host of other relatives and dear friends.

Graveside services will be held at 11am Tuesday, July 3, 2007 from the Evergreen Cemetery with Pastor Donald Jenkins officiating. The family will receive friends from 6pm until 7pm on Monday, July 2, 2007 at the St. Paul United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial funds may be made to the Building Committee of at St. Paul United Methodist Church.