Randy Eugene Sizemore

On Sunday, December 5, 2021, our Angel’s work on Earth came to an end and he was lifted to his heavenly home to be with the love of his life and those who have passed before. That Angel was Randy Sizemore.

Randy came to earth on December 6, 1956 to his loving parents, Shirley Cummings and Wiley (Bud) Lee Sizemore, Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He was a child full of curiosity and had wide eyes for the world in which he was placed.

Growing into a young man, Randy found his need for speed in the form of a Triumph motorcycle. He loved riding as an expression of freedom and often mentioned feeling connected to God and nature when he rode.

Randy would say that he couldn’t play a “lick” of music but he sure could find joy in the talents of others. And he did. Randy was part of the underground music scene in Winston-Salem that gave way to national bands and provided him with the joy and freedom he craved.

July 23, 1986, marked the day that Randy found joy and freedom in the arms of his loving wife, Valinda Michelle Dean, as they were married. It was a true fairytale romance. From their eyes knowing at first sight, they would spend their lives loving each other until he laid her to rest, Randy never wavered in his complete dedication to his love. The fairy tale continued even after she passed from illness into heaven in 2011. Randy was with her every moment and when she departed to her heavenly home, he missed her every day.

Randy’s motorcycle riding days were winding down and his music venue days were picking up steam. It was not uncommon for Randy to walk up next to a friend at a music event, even when that friend didn’t know he was going to be there. He was, as he said, “on the outside looking in,” however we all knew he was “in.”

Randy was everywhere in the Winston-Salem music scene. At Earl’s in downtown Winston, Randy was a volunteer who encouraged musicians to attend Open Mic Night at Earl’s. He also promoted Muddy Creek as a venue for artists in an open mic format as well as Little Cedar Grocery, Baggerz and many, many venues in and around Forsyth County. If you could play an instrument or sing, Randy would persist until you showed up at one of the venues to share your talents. He loved to see people bringing joy to others through their music and he nurtured that in every way he knew how. It was through this nurturing love that Randy became one of the five founding members of NC Folk Art, Inc., a non-profit specifically created to nurture the artists and traditional arts of North Carolina. Randy brought insight and experience to the Board of Directors, and he will be sorely missed.

Randy encouraged people not only with music and motorcycles, but he was a man who would listen to their story and provide the best advice he could from an honest place. One of Randy’s most famous quotes was, (and all of Randy’s friend have heard this one) “It’s better to have and not need than to need and not have.”

His goofiness was something that those who knew him well can testify to. If you were down, he wouldn't just talk about the problem at hand. He would go off on some wild, wonderful story that made everything seem OK by the time he was finished with the tale. His kindness to humanity in general was apparent to all those who knew him.

Randy and his wife doted on their baby girl, Amanda. Amanda relates that her favorite times with her dad included dancing around the house to James Brown, the peaceful serene trips to Ocracoke Island and mostly fishing, fishing, fishing in the great outdoors. Randy could make Amanda shriek with laughter when he would say, “ the Crawl is upon you! You cannot escape it!” and then tickle her relentlessly until both he and she were covered in tears of joy. Amanda was the light in his eye and the beauty in his soul– always.

Randy is survived by his only daughter, Amanda and her life partner, Jarret Bjorling and stepson, Ian Bjorling. Also, he is survived by his mother-in-law, Loretta Dean Melton and brother-in-law, Noel Melton and wife, Britta, and children..

The family requests the honor of your presence on December 21, 2021 at 2pm in the afternoon for a traditional funeral service. Evening meal will be provided at 6pm. The service and meal are at 1930 Swaim Road, Winston-Salem, NC. Shelter is available for inclement weather.

Randy, you are missed – but that is just us being selfish. We know you are back in the arms of the love of your life and skipping down the golden lanes, past the pearly gates to go listen to the Heavenly band play. Thank you for giving us joy.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.frankvoglerandsonsclemmons.com for the Sizemore family.