Henry Wayne Church

A life well-lived doing the right stuff.

Henry Wayne Church of Winston-Salem, NC, passed from this world to the final frontier on February 25, 2025 at the age of 82.
Born in Wilkes County on January 4, 1943, to Shirley Wayne and Gladys Dalma Church, Henry’s roots ran deep. He remained close to his family, especially his brothers Harold Dean Shepherd and David Lee Church, throughout his life. Henry cherished his early education at North Wilkesboro Elementary, where he forged lifelong friendships with Wayne Steele and Rod Morrow in third grade. He often reminisced about his childhood, recounting his exploration of the Reddies River by his Aunt Rachel’s house.

After graduating from Wilkes Central High, Henry briefly attended Richmond Professional Institute (now Virginia Commonwealth University) to pursue his passion for visual arts. He eventually returned to Wilkes and began a long and successful career with Lowe’s Companies, Inc. During the early years of his career, he worked in both Wilkesboro and Charlotte.

Henry’s artistic talents were quickly recognized at Lowe’s by his mentor, Bob Strickland. He soon became a key figure in the company’s in-house advertising subsidiary, Sterling Advertising, Ltd. Under Henry’s leadership, Sterling made a name for itself among the now-famous, competitive Madison Avenue ad agencies of the 1960s and 1970s. In 1972 and again in 1976, Lowe’s won the prestigious Gold Award from Financial World magazine for its stockholders’ report, a task that displayed Sterling’s talent with several other annual reports receiving the Silver Award during Henry’s time.

At Lowe’s, Henry also enjoyed working on ad campaigns with legends like Richard Petty and creating the beloved caricature of the “reluctant handyman,” Harvey Hackit. He cherished the lifelong friendships he formed with his Sterling colleagues and took pride in being part of a homegrown Wilkes success story. Henry’s handiwork endures, with his iconic logo design still adorning the front of every Lowe’s store.

His time at Lowe’s was also significant in other ways; it was there that he met his future wife, Linda (Lyn) Frazier. The two married on February 15, 1975. Each had two children from previous marriages, creating their own version of the Brady Bunch.

After more than 20 years at Lowe’s, Henry “retired.” He and Lyn went on to found Freedom Graphics, a venture that allowed him to spend the next 20 years continuing his relationship with Lowe’s, while branching out into new areas of corporate communications in Winston-Salem and beyond. When he retired for good, Henry pursued a long-held dream: returning to school full-time and earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

A modern renaissance man, Henry was always immersed in one of his many interests. He created art almost daily, constantly experimenting with new techniques and mediums. He loved to cook and was very good at it. Henry took up dog obedience training with his beloved German Shepherd, Kringle. He was a talented writer. His commitment to the arts extended to volunteering with organizations like the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art, Sawtooth School for Visual Art, and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. He even taught art classes to the homeless. He was a dedicated philanthropist, generously supporting local nonprofits that focused on the arts, homelessness, and dementia research. Despite all of these pursuits, Henry never missed his grandkids’ swim meets, dance recitals, music recitals, or ball games.

As Henry and Lyn were settling into retirement, enjoying travel, hobbies, and quality time together, Lyn was diagnosed with breast cancer. Henry remained by her side, offering unconditional love and support throughout her battle. His devotion didn’t end with her passing in 2013.

Henry was a kind and thoughtful man. He would graciously argue a point with you about art, politics, sports or whatever else you might have been wrong about, and then join you for a martini (on the rocks, with extra olives) afterward. Henry will be remembered as a devoted husband, nurturing father, loyal friend, fair and just leader, talented artist, and lifelong learner. We will miss his generosity, gentle nature, engaging conversation, smiling eyes, and enduring curiosity.

Henry is survived by his children: Jeffery Church, Michelle Caldwell, Autumn Church, and Chad Caldwell. To his grandchildren—Brooke, Hannah, Emma, Clayton, Nicholas, Enzo, Alexis, and Madilyn—and his great-grandchildren, Savannah and Emilia, he was known as “Church.” All of them adored him.

A celebration of life will be announced in the future to family and friends.

The family kindly requests that in lieu of flowers donations may be made in Henry’s memory to one of the following funds:

Henry and Lyn Church Jazz Studies Endowed Scholarship at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Gifts may be made online at: uncsa.edu/HenryChurch or, if you wish to make a gift by check, please mail to “UNCSA Foundation, Attn: S. Emery, 1533 S. Main St., Winston Salem, NC 27127”.

Jeff D. Williamson, MD, MHS Endowed Professorship in Gerontology & Geriatric Medicine at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, Office of Philanthropy and Alumni Relations, PO Box 571021, Winston-Salem, NC 27157 or online at Giving.WakeHealth.edu/GiveToAging

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