John Elledge Hutchins

John Elledge Hutchins, 87, of Winston-Salem, passed away Sunday, April 5, 2026, at Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home surrounded by family.

Mr. Hutchins was born October 31, 1938, in Winston-Salem, to Peter Cicero Hutchins and Bessie Frith Hutchins. He was the youngest of five children. His brothers, and especially his sisters, doted on him and called him Baby John. He attended Southside Baptist Church with his family and was proud of his Southside roots. John graduated from James A. Gray High School, then became the first in his family to graduate from college. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, and then a master’s degree in English, from Wake Forest University. He loved literature and taught English for decades at R.J. Reynolds High School. He also taught Industrial Cooperative training and was the sponsor of the VICA club. John loved sports and coached men’s and women’s basketball and was an athletic trainer for Reynolds and other schools. He was proud to have been the assistant coach of the Reynolds Men’s basketball team that won the State Championship in 1975. John loved watching Wake Forest Basketball and the St. Louis Cardinals. John was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Brenda Jean Dowell Hutchins, known as Bo; he and Bo are dancing together again now. He was also preceded by his parents and his four siblings, Richard Durwood Hutchins, Sybil Hutchins Swofford, Bessie Hutchins Apple, and Joseph Ramsey Hutchins.

Left to cherish his memory are two daughters, Kelli Elizabeth “Beth” Hutchins, and Stephanie Hutchins Autry (George); two grandsons, George B. “Bailey” Autry III, and John “Johnny” Cameron Autry; and numerous nieces and nephews, including special niece Peggy Krobath.

A memorial service will be held at noon on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Hayworth-Miller, Silas Creek Chapel with Chaplain Rennie Adcock officiating. A reception will follow in the Robert F. Miller Center. The family will also receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.