Kernersville is mourning the loss of Alderman Joe Pinnix, who died this week at the age of 79. A member of the board for more than a decade, Pinnix’s roots in the community run deep — his grandfather opened Pinnix Drug Store more than a century ago, and Joe helped keep the family business in operation until the 1980s.

Over the years, Pinnix’s civic contributions earned him recognition from the Kernersville Chamber of Commerce, including the Arnold G. King Community Distinguished Service Award in 2018 and the Citizen of the Year Award, which he shared with his wife, Kay, five years later.

Chamber president Chris Comer told Scope News that the organization has enjoyed a close working relationship with the town’s elected officials, adding: “Joe Pinnix will be missed.”

Mayor Dawn Morgan said she was “deeply saddened” by the news and that her “heart goes out” to Kay Pinnix and their family.

“He loved his family, he loved history, and above all he loved Kernersville and the people of Kernersville,” she said. “He came from a family of service.”

Describing both Joe and Kay Pinnix as “very generous in their contributions to the community,” with service across an array of local boards and organizations, Morgan added: “He believed in historic preservation, and was instrumental in the restoration and preservation of the 1880s Weaning Cabin and helped get it moved from its original location to the Kernersville Museum. He loved dogs and it was his idea to open a second dog part at Ivey Redmon Park.”

Several of Pinnix’s fellow aldermen also reflected on his legacy:

“Joe’s passing will leave a gap of knowledge and thoughtful decisions on the Kernersville Board of Aldermen,” said Alderman John Barrow.

Having known Pinnix for most of his life, Barrow added: “I will miss his wise advice and sometimes humorous commentary. Godspeed, my friend.”

In a tribute shared with Scope News, Alderman J.R. Gorham remembered Pinnix as “a dedicated public servant and cherished member” of the board who brought “wisdom, integrity, and a genuine spirit of collaboration to every decision we faced.”

Gorham said Pinnix’s “presence will be profoundly missed, but his impact will continue to guide and inspire us for years to come.”

Alderman Bill Apple described Pinnix as both a leader and a friend: “When you start listing the impact he had and will continue to have on this community, it is immeasurable. He was very active in making things happen. With Joe, the first thing I think of is he was a kind and generous friend. He was probably one of the kindest individuals I have ever known.”

Sarah Jane Sabanis, a Board of Aldermen candidate in next month’s municipal election, also expressed condolences, stating: “It is a true tragedy to lose a member of our community who has made so many positive impacts through their role on community boards and the Kernersville Board of Aldermen. My heart goes out to the Pinnix family.”

Mayoral candidate Kevin Hansford echoed those sentiments, saying he was “deeply saddened by the passing of Joe Pinnix” and describing him as “always a gracious, friendly face” who “was always showing what a compassionate and thoughtful person he was by being accepting of new ideas and perspectives and dedicating himself to the service of our community.”

Acknowledging “what a loss this will be for our great community,” he extended his “deepest condolences” to Pinnix’s “family, friends, and colleagues,” saying they will remain in his thoughts.

“May his dedication to the service of others and the impact he has had during his wonderful life provide solace and healing as he is remembered fondly,” Hansford added.

At an event in March, Pinnix fondly recalled his youth in Kernersville and the role his grandfather’s store played in the town’s history.

“I grew up in the ’50s, which is totally a different world than today,” he said. “Our drug store was on the corner downtown, and I always said my grandfather opened the first 7-Eleven, because he opened at 7 in the morning and worked until 11 at night.”

He reminisced about the store’s role as a gathering place — the site of the town’s first telegraph and Western Union, a phone switchboard upstairs that was operated by his aunt, and even the first color TV many locals at the time had ever seen.

“Men would come up there and watch the Friday night fights,” Pinnix said. “He’d stay open until the fights were over; I mean, he couldn’t lock his doors and run those people out.”

According to his obituary, Pinnix was also deeply involved in civic life beyond his elected role. He served as past president and member of the Kernersville Historic Preservation Society, past president and member of the Novant Health Board of Directors & Founders Society, and sat on the Board of Directors for the Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden, the Fireman’s Relief Fund Board, and the Korner’s Folly Foundation. He was also a 32nd Degree Master Mason and 50-year member of the Kernersville Masonic Lodge.

A funeral service will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at Main Street United Methodist Church.

This story has been updated to include comments from Kevin Hansford.