Herman Brown Orrell of Clemmons died Tuesday, April 26, 2016 at Brighton Gardens Assisted Living in Winston-Salem.

He was born Aug. 9, 1925 in Davie County which he called “God’s Country” to Lee Brown and Nannie Beauchamp Orrell. He was the eighth of 11 brothers and sisters. He was a veteran of World War II, and served as a soldier in the U.S Army during the occupation, driving troop transport trucks on the German Autobahn. He was honored to follow three of his older brothers, John, Steve, and Grady who also served their country in World War II. Returning from the war, he worked for Hanes Knitting in Winston-Salem, Coca-Cola Bottling Co. in Leesburg, Fla., and the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., where he drove an 18-wheeler in the truck and storage division for 34 years. He worked tobacco markets in Lumberton, Oxford, and Owensboro, Ky. He loved being outdoors enjoying nature, and inherited his green thumb from his mother. He could grow anything, loved tending his large gardens and tomato plants, and mowing his six acre yard surrounding his home in Clemmons. After his retirement, he daily walked his same route through Tanglewood Park with friends. After his walk each morning he headed to Bojangles in Advance for breakfast and conversation. He exemplified integrity, faithfulness, and honor. He lived by the motto, “Be kind to people and treat everyone as you want to be treated,” which he said he learned from his mother. He knew that friends could come from anywhere; you just have to be friendly. He developed deep friendships throughout his life because he loved and cared about people. He was a lifelong member of Mocks United Methodist Church in Advance, which he helped to build and where his first wife, Barbara Speas Orrell was organist and choir director until her death in 1975. He attended Lewisville United Methodist Church and was a member of the Wesleyan Sunday School Class with his second wife, Mildred Ward Orrell until her death in 2013. He commented how blessed he was to have found two good women.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Barbara Speas Orrell; his second wife, Mildred Ward Orrell; a son, Michael Stephen Orrell; and 4 brothers and 5 sisters.

Survivors: his sister, Aldene Orrell Daniel; his daughter, Candace Batchelor and husband Rick; his granddaughter, Caroline Batchelor McLean and husband Will; and his grandson, William Ricks Batchelor Jr. and wife, Gracie; sisters-in-law, Julia Speas Davis, Kay Speas Brown, Anne Creed Church, and Sherry Creed Kinnaman; brothers-in-law, Kenneth Alley, Harold Price, Will Creed, and Wayne Creed; and many nieces and nephews.

There will be a service to celebrate his life on Monday, May 2 at noon at Mocks United Methodist Church in Advance, with the Rev. Gary Elrod and Dr. Ivan Peden officiating. His family will receive friends at 11 a.m. at the church.

Memorials: Mocks UMC, 523 Beauchamp Road, Advance; or Lewisville UMC, 6290 Shallowford Road, Lewisville, 27023.

Condolences: www.hayworth-miller.com.