Jesse Edward "Ed" Livengood

Jesse Edward “Ed” Livengood, 98, passed away on September 16, 2026 surrounded by the family he loved so deeply.

Ed was born November 22, 1927, in Boonville, North Carolina in Yadkin County, to Jesse Savannah Livengood and Laura Lucinda Wilkins. He lived a long and remarkable life defined by devotion—to his country, to his faith, to the woman he loved for nearly eight decades, and above all, to his family.

Ed served in the United States Army from March 1946 to April 1947, stationed in Saipan, where he worked in the hospital. After returning home, he began a 35-year career with R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, where he worked until his retirement.

Ed was also a longtime member of Konnoak Hills United Methodist Church, where he faithfully served as an usher for many years. His church community was an important part of his life, and his years of service reflected the quiet dependability and commitment he brought to the people and places he cared about.

He married the love of his life, Louise Collins Livengood, on July 19, 1947. Their marriage would span an extraordinary 79 years—a lifetime of partnership, family, memories and enduring love. Of all the chapters in Ed’s long life, the one he shared with Louise was undoubtedly the most important.

Ed was a passionate lover of bluegrass music. He rarely missed an opportunity to attend the annual Galax Old Fiddlers’ Convention (he attended for 68 consecutive years), and bluegrass music remained one of the great joys of his life. He loved a good chicken stew, a good story, and the traditions and people that made a place feel like home.

But nothing made Ed prouder than his family.

He was especially proud of his three grandchildren, Heather, Justin and Savannah, and he never missed an opportunity to tell someone about their latest accomplishment. He followed his grandson Justin’s baseball career from his earliest days at South Little League all the way through his professional career and being drafted by the San Diego Padres. In many ways, Justin’s baseball journey became Ed’s journey, too—he followed every game, every milestone and every step along the way with enormous pride.

He was every bit as proud of his granddaughters, Heather and Savannah, and especially proud of the strong, independent women they became. Whether it was Savannah learning to change the oil in her own car or Heather building a life for herself in the big city of New York, Ed took great pride in knowing his granddaughters could take care of themselves. To him, those moments were accomplishments worth bragging about—and, as with most things involving his grandchildren, brag he did.

That same pride extended throughout his family. Ed wanted to know what everyone was doing, where they were going and what they had accomplished—and he wanted everyone else to know about it, too. He loved his family loudly and wholeheartedly.

Ed is survived by his beloved wife of 79 years, Louise Collins Livengood; his sons, Tony Livengood and Eddie Livengood (Shelia) and daughter-in-law, Lynn Livengood; his granddaughter, Heather Cabrera (Ty), and great-grandson, Crosby Collins; his grandson, Justin (Priscilla) and great-grandson, Jed Nelson; his granddaughter, Savannah Livengood (Nick); his brother, Donnie Livengood (Pam); his sister, Doris Holder; sisters-in-law, Jeanette Livengood and Sue Livengood; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his father, mother and six siblings - Roy Livengood, Arthur Lee Livengood, Ray Livengood, JoAnn Livengood Renegar, Jean Reavis and Bonnie Hampton.

Ninety-eight years is an extraordinary amount of life to fit into a few paragraphs. Ed leaves behind stories that will continue to be told, traditions that will continue to be carried forward, and a family that always knew exactly how proud he was of them.

He loved them loudly. And they will miss him deeply.

His arrangements will be held at Hayworth Miller Funeral Home on Silas Creek Parkway in Winston-Salem on Monday, Sept 21. The family will accept visitors at 12:30-2pm with service following immediately after.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Konnoak Hills UMC or Trellis KBR Hospice Home.

For those who would like to honor Jesse in a way that would surely make him smile, we invite you to wear bib overalls.