Edward Brent Pridgen

Edward Brent Pridgen, affectionately known as “Sug,” age 55 of Winston-Salem, NC, passed away on January 10, 2026, at Trinity Elms in Clemmons. Living most of his adulthood in Winston-Salem and Lewisville, Brent built a full and meaningful life surrounded by family, friends, and love.

Born on May 17, 1970, in Rocky Mount, NC, Brent claimed Wilmington, NC as his hometown, and as a 1988 graduate of John T. Hoggard High School, Brent was set up–by both his father Jim Pridgen and the many fairways around Wilmington–for a lifetime of golf. A scratch golfer, he combined natural talent with a keen intellect and an instinctive understanding of the game.

Though he played countless memorable rounds with friends, Brent’s greatest golf memory came with his dad on December 12, 2009, when he won the 43rd Carolina Father-Son Championship of the Carolinas Golf Association on the first playoff hole at Mid Pines Inn and Golf Club in Southern Pines. Brent smashed a drive, and that drive, coupled with his dad’s approach to within five feet, set him up to sink a birdie putt for the win.

In addition to golf, Brent excelled in all the games he played: billiards, bowling, and cards. His talent coupled with his six-foot four-inch frame could have made him intimidating, but his love of people, his mischievous smile, and his eagerness to live life made him instantly endearing. These same qualities, plus his sincere desire to help others, set him up for success in sales roles with companies such as Palm Harbor Homes, The Winston-Salem Journal, Logan Heating & Air, and most recently Webb Heating & Air Conditioning.

The most memorable and life-changing set-up of his life came in 2004, when a friend introduced him to Kelly Sawyers, whom he married in 2005. Brent knew on their first date that he wanted a life with Kelly because they shared so many of the same goals: to be the best, to love family and friends, and to create a family of their own.

Thankfully, Brent and Kelly did not have to wait long to share their love of life. They welcomed their daughter Kendall nine months after their honeymoon to St. Croix. Almost three years later, Brenner was born, and Brent became the kind of dad depicted in the movies, the one present for each practice, game, and significant (as well as everyday) moments. Nothing brought him more joy than watching Kendall and Brenner play sports and create lasting friendships as he had done. This life that he and Kelly built together caused him to tell anyone who asked that he was, “living the dream.”

Brent is described by many as “one of the good ones” --a natural encourager, a bright light, helpful, loving, genuine, a sweet soul, and always ready with a joke. He was ready for fun whether it was cheering on the Tarheels, traveling for baseball, Friday night football, or dinner with friends. In his last days, he wanted to be out of the house even if it was only to walk down the street. He treasured his annual beach trips to Emerald Isle with friends, which included marathon Rook games and activities by the shore. His remarkable memory–especially his ability to track which cards had been played–gave him an uncanny advantage and reflected the sharp mind he carried through life.

That same ability enabled Brent to compensate during early cognitive decline, which is why it required extensive investigation before he was diagnosed with Young-Onset Alzheimer's in 2023.

A devastating diagnosis for all, Brent and Kelly took this new information as they did everything: they gave it their best. They sought the best doctors, pursued the best care, and made the best memories possible while time allowed, deepening their love and maximizing every friendship and experience. Brent dreamed of revisiting St. Croix with his family, a dream they fulfilled this summer while celebrating their twentieth wedding anniversary. His mantra for anything hard was “Buckle up, buttercup,” which is exactly what the Pridgens did these past two years, as they planned more with friends and family than many do in a lifetime.

Brent was preceded in death by his father, Jimmy Ray Pridgen, and his mother, Mary Catherine “Doll” Sadlowski Pridgen.

Brent is survived by his beloved wife, Kelly Sawyers Pridgen, and his cherished children, Kendall and Brenner, as well as his four-legged shadow Benny and Kira, two rescues from a canine rescue organization.

He is also survived by his sister, Renee Pridgen Grubbs, her husband, Ephraim III, and nephews, Lieph, Adam, Eli, and Noah of Lake Mary, Florida; his aunts, Amelia Mae Sadlowski Carr (Drew) of Califon, NJ, and Deborah Ann Sadlowski Verbeck of Parkville, MD; and his uncles, James Warren Pridgen (Pat) of Rocky Mount, NC, and Joseph Walter Sadlowski (Mary) of Freeland, MD.

A memorial service will be held at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Winston-Salem on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at 11am, with Fr. Steve Rice officiating. A reception will immediately follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Memory Counseling Program at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, P.O. Box 571021, Winston-Salem, NC 27157 https://Giving.WakeHealth.edu/givetoaging then “direct my gift to Memory Counseling Program” and the Carolina Golf Foundation, 140 Ridge Road, Southern Pines, NC 28387 (https://www.carolinasgolf.org/donate).

The family would like to thank Dr. Trey Bateman, The Elizabeth and Tab Williams Adult Day Center and Trinity Elms as well as the extensive network of friends and family who have supported them during these past two years.

Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel is assisting the Pridgen family.