Mrs. Michelle Renee Denning, 54, was born November 12, 1959 to Barbra Balance and David Cunningham in Tipton, MO. She departed this life surrounded by family on September 26, 2014. She grew up in Knob Noster, MO with 6 brothers and sisters and attended the University of Missouri in Columbia Missouri.


Michelle met and married Charles Denning and made her home here in Winston-Salem, NC. She worked as the office manager in the anesthesiology department of Wake Forest University, Baptist Hospital School of Medicine. She worked there until she took an early retirement due to health reasons.


Michelle's joy in life was her family, being active in her church and community and a love of travel. She became a member of Goler Metropolitan AME Zion Church where she worked as the youth choir director, Vacation Bible School art teacher and as the secretary. She participated as a team Mom for CJ's basketball and soccer teams as well as a dance Mom for her daughter Charla. She loved coaching and playing softball for many years. Traveling thru Europe and hanging out in the islands were highlights of her life.


Michelle is survived by her loving husband of 31 years, Charles Denning; son, Charles Jr. (Jayzabel); daughter, Charla; granddaughter, Zandria; her parents, Barbara Bratton, Cecil Bratton, and David Cunningham (Patricia); brothers, Michael Montgomery (Maria), Brian Bratton (Ladonna), and Cecil Bratton (Stacy); sisters, Lorena Barnes (Verdock), Melinda Simon (Malcolm), Davita Cunningham, Deanna Powell, and Leona Reed; nephews, Chris Montgomery, Brian Montgomery, Michael Montgomery, Anthony Montgomery, Jimmy Harris, Sheridan Bratton, Cecil Bratton III, Jordan Bratton, Kevin Bratton, Freddie Powell ,and David Cunningham; nieces, Tammy Burns, Taleka Perry, Shawntae Chase, Nicole Lockwood, Jasmine Bratton, Shelby Bratton, Alex Bratton, Andrea Montgomery, and Sekai Golden; and a host of other family members and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 11am Saturday, October 4, 2014 at Goler Metropolitan AME Zion Church. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. The family visitation will be held from 10:30am until 11am on Saturday at the Church.