Mary Lou Sandefur Kogas

1928 - 2025

Mary Lou Sandefur Kogas

Aug 13, 1928 - Nov 9, 2025

Mrs. Mary Lou Sandefur Kogas, 97, entered the immediate presence of the Lord, as calmly and peacefully as she lived her life, on Sunday, November 9, 2025 surrounded by her loved ones. Mary Lou was born in Winston-Salem on August 13, 1928 to her loving parents, the late E.L. "Sande" Sandefur and Euna Doub Sandefur.

Mary Lou attended grammar school through the sixth grade at North Elementary, skipped the seventh grade, and attended John W. Hanes High School from the eighth grade through her senior year. She received many academic honors and accolades throughout her education and graduated at 16 years old as Class Valedictorian from Hanes High School in 1945. Mary Lou furthered her education at The Women's College of the University of North Carolina (now UNCG) and Winston-Salem Business College. After college, she worked for Western Electric, The Bahnson Company, and retired from Sara Lee Corporation. She was a member of Burkhead Methodist Church most of her life, and for the past 30 years was a member of Kingswood Methodist Church.

She married her high school sweetheart, John B. Kogas, on February 14, 1952, who preceded her in death in 2014. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Dr. Earl Sandefur. She is survived by her two loving children, Mary Katherine Thomas (Gary), and John W. Kogas; grandchildren, Justin Thomas, Chris Thomas (fiancé Lily Delaire), Katie Thomas, Sarah Conaway (Zach), and Josh Kogas (Lauren Ashley); and great-grandchildren Gabe, Norah and Caroline Conaway.

Our family would like to express our gratitude to Dr. Anthony Kummer and the entire staff at Novant Adult Primary Care for their professionalism, love, and care which was always shown to our mother, as well as to her phenomenal neighbors on Briarcliffe Road. She was richly blessed with you all!

Our mother loved her Lord and Savior, was a voracious reader, and loved to write, draw, and paint. She enjoyed bowling in the Coffee Clubbers' League until she was 92 years old, loved nature, scripture, and playing her piano - especially the old hymns. She also loved history, animals, and all sports, specifically the UNC Tar Heels and Carolina Panthers. Most of all, she absolutely loved her family. She was the light of our lives!

A Celebration of Life will be held at 3 p.m., Sunday, November 23, 2025 at Kingswood Methodist Church, with visitation to follow in the church parlor.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Kingswood Methodist Church, P.O. Box 399 University Parkway, Rural Hall, NC 27045, or to the charity of one's choice. Condolences may be shared online at www.salemfh.com.

"Well done, good and faithful servant". - Matthew 25:23

Salem Funeral & Cremation Service

2951 Reynolda Rd., Winston-Salem, NC 27106