WS Chronicle

Statements regarding the death of Larry Womble

Mayor Allen Joines: 

Mayor Allen Joines today released the following statement on the death of former board of alderman and state representative Larry Womble:

“On behalf of the citizens of Winston-Salem, I extend my deepest sympathies and condolences to the family and friends of former N. C. State Representative Larry Womble. Representative Womble had been a strong voice for the rights of the underprivileged while he served on the board of alderman and later as a state representative. We remember his work as an alderman in pushing for downtown development of residential housing many, many years ago before it became an accepted concept. We also recognize Representative Womble’s contributions in getting state legislation passed for financial compensation to be made to victims of the forced sterilization program.”

Womble served three terms on the board of alderman from 1981 to 1993 representing the Southeast Ward. He was elected to the North Carolina General Assembly’s 71st district in 1995 where he served until 2012.

“Larry Womble was a giant for social justice, from his days at the local sit-ins as a college student to his landmark years in the state legislature, always standing up tall for underdogs and giving a voice to the voiceless. I was honored to stand beside my friend in our winning fight to make our state the first in the nation to compensate victims of forced sterilization. He almost died in a car wreck during that fight and, as he recovered, I sat by his hospital bed and took lessons from him on how to continue the compensation fight. He was always there for all of us.”

 – John Railey, former Journal editorial page editor and current writer-in-residence for the Center for the Study of Economic Mobility at Winston-Salem State University.”

“Forsyth County has lost another great local leader with the passing of Larry Womble. He was a champion for equality during his time on the Winston-Salem Board of Alderman and the State House of Representatives. He was a great ally for local government during his time in Raleigh, and his presence was felt throughout the community. The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners extends our deepest condolences to his family and friends.”

– Forsyth County Commissioner Chair Dave Plyler.