On Wednesday, October 12, 2022, Sterling Ashley Spainhour, our beloved husband, father and grandfather passed away. He was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the son of the late Clyde and Bernice Spainhour. He attended St. Benedict Catholic School and Paisley High School.

Sterling earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History from Hampton University. While at Hampton, Sterling met his wife-to-be, Beverly.  He then attended and graduated from the University of Notre Dame School of Law, where he earned his Juris Doctor degree.

Sterling began his professional career in Winston-Salem in the legal department of Wachovia Mortgage Company, later moving on to Wachovia Corporation. After moving to Charlotte, he was promoted to Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel for the Wells Fargo Corporation. Upon his retirement from Wells Fargo, he became Special Counsel at Bank of America and Of Counsel at Sapronov Associates, PC of Atlanta. Sterling was also an Adjunct Professor of Law at Wake Forest School of Law, an adjunct professor at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and was a certified arbitrator and mediator.

Some of Sterling’s community volunteer activities included serving as President of the Southeastern Center of Contemporary Art (SECCA) in Winston-Salem, Chairman of the Winston-Salem Transit Authority and a United Way volunteer.

Sterling was formerly a member of St. Benedict Catholic Church in Winston-Salem where he was an usher, a lector, a member of the Parish Council and a member of the Finance Committee. At the time of his death, he was a member of St. Peter Catholic Church in Charlotte, NC where he was a member of St. Peter’s Sages.

He held memberships in Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity (The Boule), was a Connecting Link of the Crown Jewel Links of Charlotte, North Carolina and a member of the Mules of the Charlotte Chapter of The Moles.

Sterling enjoyed all types of exercise (especially tennis), traveling and spending time with his family. 

He is survived by his wife, Beverly of Charlotte; his sons, Sterling, Jr. of Atlanta and Brian of Huntersville, NC; daughters-in-law, Farah of Atlanta and Kate of Huntersville, NC; his grandchildren, Carter, August and Kaylin, all of Atlanta; his cousin, Vance Cabiness of Winston-Salem; and a host of friends.

Sterling was known for his quick-witted humor, fierce determination and his generous spirit. We will always carry his memory in our hearts.

We ask that donations be made in Sterling’s memory to the following: Atrium Hospice of Union County, 700 W. Roosevelt Boulevard, Monroe, NC 28110.

Make checks payable to - Atrium Hospice of Union County. Please include on the notation line of your check- -“In Memory of Sterling Spainhour”