Thomas Elmore

ELMORE WINSTON-SALEM Thomas Morris Elmore Dec. 28, 1926-Oct. 29, 2012 Dr. Thomas Morris Elmore passed away peacefully Monday, October 29, 2012 with family present. Born in Wilson, NC on December 28, 1926 to the late Thomas O. and Effie Morris Elmore, he resided in Winston-Salem, NC for the past 50 years. He is survived by the love of his life, wife Ruby Ellis Elmore; children, Angela Atkins, Glenda (Paul) Inabinet, Gail (JR) Simpson, and Michelle (David) Akamine; brother, Joseph E. Elmore; grandchildren, Maggie Atkins (Damon) Cook, Marissa Atkins, Maria Inabinet, and Joji Akamine; great-grandson, Asher Thomas Cook. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Effie Leigh and Cenieth Elmore; sister-in-law, Rebecca Elmore; son-in-law, Jerry Atkins. His family was his greatest passion. Tom served in the US Navy at the end of WWII, and then pursued his undergraduate degree at Wake Forest College. He later received his Master's degree at Peabody College and a PhD in Counseling Psychology at Ohio State University. Returning to his beloved Demon Deacon roots at Wake Forest in 1962, he served as the Dean of Students for some years prior to establishing the Masters in Counseling program in 1968, which he led until retirement in 1996. He held numerous leadership roles in the counseling profession, serving as President of the NC Counseling Association, the Association for Counseling Education and Supervision (ACES), and its southern division (SACES). Tom was active in the local, state, and national Mental Heath Associations; he served on the board of directors of Group Homes of Forsyth and as a consultant for Goodwill Industries of Northwest NC. Tom was a dedicated member of Knollwood Baptist Church, serving in many capacities. A scholar and life-long learner, he travelled extensively throughout the world, and continued to explore the mysteries of faith and the universe in reading and discussions with friends in his later years. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 pm Friday, November 2, 2012 at Knollwood Baptist Church. The family will receive friends at a reception following. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wake Forest University, designated to the Thomas M. Elmore Fund (Department of Counseling, 7406 Reynolda Station, Winston-Salem, NC 27109) or to the Celebration Mission Fund (Knollwood Baptist Church, 330 Knollwood St, Winston-Salem, NC 27104).