Kristin Gronning Farmer, 78, of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, died December 8, 2025, after a brief illness with cancer. She grew up in Elkton, Virginia. Married there in 1966, she studied from then until 1968 at Madison College (now James Madison University) before moving to Columbia, South Carolina, where she continued her studies at the University of South Carolina, earning her bachelor’s degree in 1972 and master’s degree in music in 1973, studying under conductor Arpad Darasz and Columbia organist John B. Haney. She went on to have a career as a church organist and recitalist, including performances at the Spoleto Festival in Charleston, South Carolina, and on the Skinner organ at The Biltmore House, Asheville, North Carolina.
Farmer’s musical vocation spanned more than five decades. She served as organist at Centennial Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, Columbia, South Carolina (1979–1982); as organist/choirmaster at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (1989–2009); and later as organist/choirmaster at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Reidsville, North Carolina (2012–2022).
A active member of the Organ Historical Society, Farmer served two terms as vice president and then two terms as president, as well as serving in other leadership roles, including multiple councilor positions and two years as convention coordinator. She was also an active member of the American Guild of Organists.
Her second marriage in 1986 in Winston-Salem to organbuilder John Farmer began a forty-year partnership devoted to the repair, restoration, and construction of pipe organs throughout the Southeastern United States, forming J. Allen Farmer, Inc. Kristin’s artistic talents, particularly her mastery of historic pipe stenciling, woodgraining, and the application of 24 karat gold leaf, became central to the couple’s work. As her reputation grew, other organbuilders frequently sought her expertise on polychrome pipe decoration.
Kristin Gronning Farmer is survived by her spouse, John Farmer; her daughters from her first marriage, Eliza Johnson (Beth DePass) and Miranda Johnson; daughter from her second marriage, Kathleen Hammond (Warren Hammond); and her two grandchildren. A memorial service will be held in early February at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, Winston-Salem. The calendar at the church website (sttimothysws.org) will include this date and time. Memorial donations may be sent to the music ministry of St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, 2575 Parkway Drive, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27103, and/or the American Cancer Society (cancer.org).
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