Grace Rubsamen

Grace Scilipoti Rubsamen, 98, formerly of Raeford passed away peacefully in her home on Friday afternoon, with family member present for a last goodbye. She began her life in Mineola, Long Island, New York, and later moved with her parents (Michael Scilipoti and Lillian Crossen Scilipoti) to Towaco, New Jersey. She attended Boonton High School, where she met her high school sweetheart and future husband, Robert "Bob" Brownlee Rubsamen.
She studied art and fashion design at Goucher College in Baltimore, Maryland, where she cultivated a talent as a cartoonist. She married Bob on February 19, 1937. In the early 1950's, the couple moved their young family to California, where Bob continued to pursue a successful career with General Motors. Grace worked as a Latin teacher, and later as a library assistant. Throughout her life, however, her passion remained for her art, and following Bob's retirement in 1979, the two moved to Mendocino, California, where they joined a thriving artists' community. Grace and Bob both dedicated much time and energy to the Mendocino Art Center, where Grace spent several happy years as director of the art gallery. Throughout, she continued her explorations in oil, acrylic, water color, and pastels, leaving a bounty of beautiful memories to be shared among family and friends.
After losing Bob to cancer in 1996, Grace moved to Raeford to be near her daughter, Christine, and family. She later relocated to Reno, Nevada, to be near her son, Richard, and his family, and settled in the Monaco Ridge assisted living facility, where she received loving care and continued painting until the last few months of her life.
Surviving are her children, Anne Rubsamen Miller and Thomas Miller of Federal Way Washington, Christine and James Wright of Raeford, and Richard and Jane Rubsamen of Incline Village, Nevada. She was the proud grandmother of nine grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, and four great-great grandchildren.
The family is planning a memorial service in Mendocino, California in September 2013.

Mary Childers

Mary Annie Lee Childers, 91 years of age, went home to be with the Lord and her beloved husband, the Rev. Barney V. Childers on January 30, 2013. She was a devoted pastor's wife for over 50 years. She was always ready to serve the laity. Many remember the delicious coconut pies she baked for everyone she knew. She was available to anyone who needed a shoulder to lean on and was known for her ability to get a prayer through to God's throne.
Living to cherish the memories are a daughter, Pati Edwards and her husband, the Rev. Kevin Edwards of Four Oaks, and a son, Clyde Childers and wife Thelma of Spring Hill, Tennessee. Also surviving are a granddaughter, Elizabeth Ashlyn Edward; two grandsons, Mike Childers and wife Alisa and Mark Childers and wife Ivey; four great-grandchildren, Mychael Ashlyn, Ethan Wyatt, Dyllan Joi and Ayden Christopher Lane Childers. She is also survived by two brothers, Bobby Caudle and Paul Caudle and several nieces and nephews of State Road.
The family will receive friends and relatives at Wagram Church of God, 22741 McKay Street on Saturday, 2, 2013 from 1-2 p.m. followed by a Welcome Home Service at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Sammy Oxendine, a long time ministry friend and her pastor, and the Rev. Harry Clark officiating. Burial will follow in the Raeford Cemetery.
Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com.

Joyce C. Hendrix

Joyce Cole Hendrix of 128 Brooks Ave, died Monday, January 28, 2013 in FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital at the age of 77.
She was born in Moore County on March 20, 1935 to the late Richard and Thelma Thomas Cole. She was preceded in death by her sister, Peggy McCachren. She was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church in Red Springs for more than 50 years. She was also an avid participator of the "Meals on Wheels" program within the church. She was sensitive and caring woman whose selflessness was inspirational to all that knew her.
Survivors are her husband, Bobby Hendrix of Red Springs; a son, Michael McCoin and his wife, Kathy of Lumberton; brothers, Billy Cole and his wife, Betty of West End, Bobby Cole and his wife Rosemarry of Roseburg, Oregon, and Richard Cole and his wife, Marsha of Winston-Salem; sisters, Kay Hacker and her husband, Bruce of Marietta, Georgia, and Lynn Pike and her husband, Gerald of Siler City; and a niece, Donna Lynn Williams of Laurinburg.
Visitation will be 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 30 at Crumpler Funeral Home-Red Springs.
A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Janaury 31, 2013 in the Alloway Cemetery with the Rev. Mary Frances McClure and the REv. Bradley Boberg officiating.
Memorials may be made to: Feeding Jesus, C/O Trinity United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 48, Red Springs, NC 28377.
Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com.

Hallie M. Mitchell

Hallie Maynor Mitchell died January 20, 2013 at UNC Chapel Hill Hospital.
She was born June 4, 1925 in Robeson County to the late James and Ardenia Knight Maynor. She graduated from Robeson County Public School. She was an early member of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church. She later joined Jones Chapel Baptist Church. As a pastor's wife, she exhibited great care and compassion to everyone she encountered. She loved singing in the choir and her favorite song was "Amazing Grace". She loved animals, especially dogs, and she had an insatiable love for perfume or as she termed it "smell good."
She was united in holy matrimony to W.K. Mitchell on August 3, 1950. She was preceded in death by seven brothers and sisters: Annie Mae Fullmore, Douglas Maynor, Peach Maynor, Hubert Maynor, Lillie McDonald, Joe Maynor, and Ernest Maynor. She leaves to cherish her memories: one son, William Antonio Mitchell, one granddaughter, Amber Mitchell, and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral was at noon on Saturday, January 26 at Jones Missionary Baptist Church, 307 Phillips Ave, Red Springs.
(Crumpler Serenity Funeral Home of Red Springs.)

Sandra M. Wyatt

Sandra Miller Wyatt, age 59, of Hope Mills, passed away peacefully at 1 p.m. Saturday, January 26, 2013 at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center of complications resulting from a recent heart attack and pneumonia.
She was born June 8, 1953 in Ronceverte, West Virginia to the late Fred and Frances Miller. She was a graduate of Beckley High School in Beckley, West Virginia and earned a bachelors degree from West Virginia University. She later earned a masters degree from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. She devoted her life to the education of students in West Virginia, Delaware, and North Carolina. In North Carolina, she taught at Whiteville High School, Hoke High School, and South View High School before retiring.
She is survived by her two sons, Daniel A. Wyatt and Joshua M. Wyatt and their families. She will always be remembered as a cherished mother, a loving grandmother, a dear friend to many, and a hardworking educator.
Visitation will be at 2 p.m. Saturday Feb. 2 at Pinecrest Funeral Home in Hope Mills, followed immediately by a service at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be sent to the Susan G. Komen breast cancer foundation or the American Heart Association. Online condolences may be made at www.pinecrestfuneralservice.com.

Hazel T. Fitch

Hazel Thomas Fitch, age 90, of Aberdeen died Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013 at Scotia Village a Presbyterian Retirement home in Laurinburg.
She was born in Roanoke, Virginia in 1922 and graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1939. She attended Mars Hill Jr. College and Furman University graduating summa cum laude in 1945. She attended Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.
She was one of the founding faculty members of Sandhills Community College. She began her 47 years of service in the Adult Basic Education Department in 1964 retiring in 2011 at age 88.
She dutifully served alongside of her husband as they ministered at Montrose Presbyterian Church, Richmond, Virginia; Summersville Presbyterian Church, Summersville, West Virginia, Culdee Presbyterian Church, West End; and Shiloh and Bethel Presbyterian churches, Raeford. She served in Presbyterian Women's work in many capacities and as president of the North Carolina Presbyterian Women in 1974. Most recently she served as lay minister at Euphronia Presbyterian Church, Sanford, for 18 years retiring in October, 2011.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William Kemper Fitch, Jr., by her brothers, Robert WilsonThomas, Carleton Lee Thomas, and sister, Helen Virginia Thomas.
She is survived by her sons, William Kemper Fitch III and his wife, Carolyn of Asheboro, and Robert Thomas Fitchof Atlanta, Georgia; grandchildren William Kemper Fitch IV and his wife Kelly of Dallas, Georgia, Cameron Walton Fitch of Dallas, Georgia; and great-grandson Cooper Walton Fitch of Dallas, Georgia. 6-8 p.m. at Fry-Prickett Funeral Home, 402 Saunders Street, Carthage. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013 at Bethesda Presbyterian Church, 1002 North Sandhills Boulevard, Aberdeen with Keith Miller and Jonathan Wallace officiating.
Memorials may be made to Euphronia Presbyterian Church, 169 Euphronia Church Road, Sanford, NC 27330, or Sandhills Community College, 3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst, NC 28374, or Hospice of Scotland County, P.O. Box 1033, Laurinburg, NC 28353.