Stephanie Smith

Stephanie Nichole (Nikki) Smith of Raeford died Wednesday, May 18, 2022, at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst at the age of 41. 
She was born in Cumberland County on December 24, 1980. She was preceded in death by her father, Jessie Eugene Smith Sr., and was a member of Kingdom Impact Global Ministries in Fayetteville. She was employed with Next Step Childcare in Fayetteville.
She is survived by her mother, Linda Sumpter Smith of Raeford, a sister, Angela Smith of Fayetteville, a brother, Jessie Smith Jr. (Shannon O'Connor) of Greenville, a nephew, Jaylin Womack of Fayetteville, and a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins. 

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm Sunday, May 29, 2022, at Crumpler Funeral Home Chapel, 131 Harris Avenue, Raeford, NC.
The family will receive friends after the service at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com

Unellear Rogers

Unellear Bullard Rogers of Red Springs died Monday, May 16, 2022 at her home.
She was born in Robeson County on Feb. 25, 1941 to the late John Willie Bullard and Harriett Locklear Bullard. 

She was a member of Smithtown Church of God in Maxton. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gene Autry Rogers. She is survived by two sons, Jeff Rogers of Red Springs, and Roy Rogers and his wife Norma Jean Rogers of Charlotte; two daughters, Deborah Rogers of Red Springs, and Carolyn Quenga and her husband Ronald Leon Quenga of Red Springs; nine grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren, four sisters, Daphnia Chavis of Maxton, Virginia Lowery of South Carolina, Helen Jacobs of Maxton and Judy Bullard of Maxton; a brother, Joseph Locklear; and a special friend Maxine Locklear.
A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, May 20, 2022, at Smithtown Church of God, Maxton. 

William Craig Jr.

William Howard (Billy) Craig Jr. of Supply, formerly of Raeford, died at his home on Monday, May 16, 2022 at age 64.
He was born in Blackstone, Virginia on June 25, 1957 to the late William Howard Craig Sr. and Glenda Hayes Craig. He was employed with his family's business, the Raeford Body Shop.
He is survived by his daughter Beth Ann Cook and her husband Charlie of Wadesboro;  two grandchildren, Trinity Cook of Maryland and Jacob Cook of Wadesboro; a brother, Kenneth Craig of Raeford; and a sister, Yvonne Whitmire of Supply. 
Visitation will be 1-2 p.m. on Thursday, May 19, 2022, at Crumpler Funeral Home, Raeford.
A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 19, 2022 at the Raeford Cemetery with Pastor Roger Burns officiating.

Robin L. Anselmini

Robin L. Anselmini, 84, of Raeford, died peacefully Friday, May 13, 2022 at Open Arms Retirement Home in Raeford.
She was born in Waco, Texas on August 9, 1937.  She was one of five children born to the late Ben and Sue Hardin. She lived in Los Angeles for 38 years where she was a paralegal. She and her husband, Frank, moved to Raeford in 2006 to be close to her sister, Jean Hodges. She fell in love with the town of Raeford, loving the people and small-town vibe. She was a volunteer with Hoke County Board of Elections, Hoke County Liberty Hospice, and Open Arms Retirement Home, where she volunteered providing manicures and much happiness to the residents and staff. She was a decades-long member of the Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) Class as well as various other charities. She was a dedicated member and active supporter of the First Baptist Church of Raeford.
She was a practical joker and had a great sense of humor. She loved to make people smile by dressing up in various costumes and funny outfits. 
She loved to entertain, listen to music, play cards and dominos with friends and family, travel, spend time at the NC coast, and loved her dogs, Fancy and Mitzi.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank, her son Paul, a brother Virgil Hardin, and sisters Jo Hunke, Dorothy Lohmer, and Jean Hodges and two nephews, Michael R. Hicks, and William Benton Hodges.
She is survived by her son Dan Anselmini and his wife Karyn and their daughter, Aerin of Riverside, California.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 20 at First Baptist Church, followed by a reception in the church Fellowship Hall.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Baptist Church of Raeford, NC, Hoke County Liberty Hospice and Fayetteville Animal Protection Society,(FAPS).

Rodney Collins

Rodney Darrell Collins of Whispering Pines, formerly of Raeford, age 68, died Saturday, May 14, 2022, at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst.
He was born in Pinehurst on November 9, 1953 to the late Clifford Odell Collins and Annie Ruth Harris Collins. 

He was an avid hunter and loved all his pets, past and present. He was preceded in death by brother Ricky Sherrill Collins. 
He is survived by his wife Leah Bailey Collins, two daughters, Monica Collins Hennessy, Ashley Collins Miller (Kenny), and stepson Adam M. Bailey. He was Papa to his beloved grandchildren, Eleanor (his miracle baby), Preston (his fishing buddy), Addyson (his Giggles), Hailey (his artist), and Owen (his Malibu); sister-in-law Joan Hudson Collins and former son-in-law Patrick Hennessy. 

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, May 18, 2022, at Crumpler Funeral Home, Raeford.
In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: American Lung Association, 55 West Wacker Drive, Suite 1150, Chicago, IL 60601; to your local Humane Society; or to your favorite charity.

Gene E. Lowery

Gene E. Lowery 52 of 6809 Turnpike Road died Saturday, May 14, 2022 in a Chapel Hill hospital.

He was born October 23, 1969, to Mr. Eugene and Evelyn Lowery. 

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, David and Rosie Jackson; his paternal grandfather, Willie Lowery, and two aunts, Irene Jackson and Wanda Sue Jackson. 
He is survived by his parents, Eugene and Evelyn Lowery; two daughters, Kanresha Purcell and Danielle Locklear; brothers Robert Lowery (Michelle) Bently Lowery of Raeford and David W. Lowery (Clara) of Laurinburg; one sister, Ann M. Jacobs (Jerry) of Raeford, seven grandchildren; maternal grandmother Helen Lowery; and a special cousin, Pamela Tew.
A visitation will be held from 2-3 p.m. Tuesday, May 17, 2022 at Crumpler Funeral Home of Raeford. The funeral will follow the visitation at 3 p.m.
Burial will be at New Beginning Baptist Church Cemetery 2909 Fulford McMillian Road, Raeford.

Anona M. Duimstra

Anona M. "Mitzi" Duimstra, 81, of Fayetteville, died peacefully in the arms of her daughter, Susan; granddaughters, Lyndsey and Holly; and great-grandsons, C.J. and Russel on Sunday, May 8.
She was formerly of Harmony, New Jersey, where she raised her three children. She was born October 29, 1940 in Bangor, Pennsylvania to the late Pearl May (Ackerman) Bittenbender and John Lester Bittenbender. She was a 1958 graduate of Washington High School, Washington, New Jersey and Empire Beauty School. She began her career in food service at the Harmony Township Elementary School cafeteria and retired to North Carolina in 1998 from Aramark. In her retirement she enjoyed her quiet life with her beloved shih tzus, Minnie of 17 years, and Belle. She never missed the opportunity to celebrate with her family on holidays. She also enjoyed poolside gatherings, and loved being around her granddaughters and great-grandsons and their friends, who absolutely adored 'Gramma' as she kept them all on their toes or in tears of laughter. She was also quite the bowler and dancer in her younger years, always trying to teach the younger generations.
She was predeceased by her parents; son, David Louis; grandson, Anthony John Policelli; and siblings, Beverly Buzzuto, and John and William Bittenbender. She is survived by her daughter, Sue (Jose) Ogas of Fayetteville; brother, James (Marilyn) Bittenbender of Burlington, New Jersey; sister, Patricia DeFranco of Bangor, Pennsylvania; granddaughters, Lyndsey and Holly Thatcher of Fayetteville; grandson, Daniel Policelli and his mother, Donna of Bangor, Pennsylvania; and great-grandsons, C.J. and Russel of Fayetteville.
Her life will be celebrated, in her home, surrounded by the family and friends who fulfilled her life with love and happiness .