Valerie Bernhardt

Valerie A. Bernhardt of Elizabethtown died Saturday June 29, 2013 at New Hanover Regional Medical Center at the age of 64.
She was born March 16, 1949 in Tooele City, Utah to the late William Soderberg and Virginia Adamson Soderberg. She is preceded in death by her husband Roy Bernhardt. She was a registered nurse.
She was member of the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints where she sang soprano in the Tabernacle choir. She was an active writer and she played clarinet with The Utah Symphony.
She is survived by 2 sons Royce Bernhardt and his wife Christina of Fayetteville; John F. Bernhardt of Pennsylvania; two daughters, Ruth E. Bernhardt and Demmenny C. Dull both of Pennsylvania; two brothers William Soderberg, Jr. and Frank Soderberg, and two grandchildren Alyssa and Gavin Bernhardt.
Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday July 3, 2013 at Crumpler Funeral Home in Raeford.
A memorial service will be held later in the Tooele City Cemetery in Tooele, Utah where she will be laid to rest beside her husband.
Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com.

Carl Virgil

Carl Virgil, 84, of 976 Rockfish Road, died Monday, June 24, 2013.
Survivors are: wife, Dollie; children, Roger, Stanley, Geraldine, Linda; sisters, Georgette Johnson and Tina Wynn; nine grandchildren.
The funeral will be held Sat. Jun. 29 at 3 p.m. in J.W. Turlington School.
Visitation will be today, Jun. 28 from 1 to 7 p.m. at Buie Funeral Home chapel in Raeford.

Chier Warrant Officer 4 Lee Williamson

Chief Warrant Officer 4 Lee James Williamson, 44, of Raeford, died Friday, June 21, 2013.
Survivors are: wife, Sherry; father, Parker; brothers, Glen Linder and Neil; sisters, Mary Brown, Lacy Ell and Suzi.
The funeral will be held Fri. Jun. 28 at12:30 p.m. in All American Chapel, Building C-7242 Ardennes St., Fort Bragg. Burial will be in Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Thurs. Jun. 27 from 6 to 9 p.m. at LaFayette Funeral Home of Fayetteville.

Rachel Stevens

Rachel Spencer Hassell Stevens, formerly of Raeford, died in Raleigh at Mayview Convalescent Center on June 23. She was 93. She was born in Tokushima, Japan, on September 19, 1919, to the Rev. and Mrs. A.P. Hassell who served as Presbyterian missionaries. She grew up in Japan, attending Canadian Academy in Kobe, and later received a degree in piano and organ from Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, Virginia, in 1940.
She taught public school music and later worked with Presbyterian Missions. She accepted the position of organist, choir director, and Director of Christian Education at Raeford Presbyterian Church in 1945. She was married to Archie Kerr Stevens, Jr. in 1947. He preceded her in death in 1973. Two brothers and four sisters also preceded her in death.
Over the years she continued to serve from time to time as organist and choir director at Raeford Presbyterian Church. She also served as the president of the Women of the Church, Missions chairman, Bible and Sunday School teacher, and in 1993 was ordained as the first woman to serve as elder for the church.
In 1996, the Session of the church established the Rachel H. Stevens Scholarship to honor the 51 years she devoted to the church and its ministry of music, and to two generations of children and young people.
For many years she continued her love of music by teaching piano lessons in her home, sharing with even more children not only her skills, but also her patient and caring spirit. In later years she was once again able to experience her love of travel, visiting Spain and Scotland, and eventually returning to her birthplace of Japan. In 2002, she moved to Quail Haven Village in Pinehurst where she made her home. During her time at Quail Haven, she enjoyed the ministry and music at Brownson Memorial.
She was a devoted and supportive mother and grandmother and an endless source of enthusiasm, joy, and inspiration to those who loved her. She is survived by her son Kerr T. Stevens and wife Joanne of Raleigh, granddaughter Morgan Fullbright of Raleigh and grandson Patrick Stevens a senior at NC State in Raleigh.
A memorial service will be held Sunday, June 30 at Brownson Memorial Presbyterian Church in Southern Pines, at 2 p.m. Immediately following the memorial service, a visitation with family and friends will be held at the church.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in her memory to the Rachel H. Stevens Scholarship, Raeford Presbyterian Church, 128 W. Edinborough Avenue, Raeford, NC 28376.
Services are entrusted to Crumpler Funeral Home of Raeford.

Myrna Stell

Myrna Jeanne Almond Stell, 81, passed away on Saturday, June 22, 2013 at her home. She was born on May 31, 1932 in Hoke County, the daughter of Marshall C. and Mary Alice Strother Almond.
She was employed as an administrative assistant with Burlington Industries until her retirement in 1987. She was a member of St. Paul Presbyterian Church for more than 50 years. She loved to play bridge, travel, the beach and spending time with her family and friends. She will be deeply missed.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Arnold H. Stell. Surviving are her daughters, Rhonda Sue Stell and Jack Simpson, and Lynda Jeanne Samsel and husband Robert Edward, all of Greensboro; a sister, Judy A. Hodgin and husband William C. of Roxboro; two brothers, Winfred Almond of Raleigh, and Jon Almond and wife Emma Jean of Aberdeen. Also surviving are many loving nieces and nephews, cousins and a longtime friend, companion and neighbor, Hal Richards
A service to celebrate her life will be held on Wednesday at 1 p.m. at St. Paul Presbyterian Church with burial to follow at Guilford Memorial Park. The family will receive friends on Tuesday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at Hanes Lineberry Sedgefield Chapel.
Memorials may be made to St. Paul Presbyterian Church, 2300 Old Chapman Street, Greensboro, NC 27403.
Online condolences may be made at www.haneslineberryfuneralhomes.com