Benny Locklear

Benny Locklear of Raeford passed away Friday, April 28, 2017 in FirstHealth Moore Regional at the age of 74.

He was born in Robeson County on June 27, 1942 to the late Jethro and Ella Locklear. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Governor Locklear, Bobby Locklear; and his sister, Exand Holt. A fan of Ford vehicles and NASCAR, he enjoyed tending his garden and spending time with his family.

He leaves behind his wife, Loya Johnson Locklear of the home; his children, Tonia Oxendine and her significant other, Ronald Brown of Raeford, Cathy Cox of Raeford, Benny Locklear Jr. and his husband, Antonio Griffin of Raeford, Dusty Star Johnson and her significant other, Ansol E. Graham Jr. of Seven Lakes, Derek Dwayne Locklear of Raeford, Ashley D. Locklear and his wife, Megan Locklear of Wagram, Winona Dawn Locklear of Raeford, Christian Dayne Locklear and his significant other, Danielle George of Raeford, Lisa Jacobs and her husband, Michael of Raeford; brothers, Gerald Locklear and his wife, Noami of Raeford, Ellis Locklear and his wife, Teresa of Raeford, Louis Locklear and his wife, Lori Ann of Raeford; his sisters, Sally Blue and her husband, Winford of Wagram, Edna Reyes of Raeford, Evon Usher of Red Springs; 25 grandchildren; and 6 great grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. on Tuesday, May 2, 2017 at Crumpler Funeral Home in Raeford.

The funeral will be at noon on Wednesday, May 3, 2017 at Crumpler Funeral Home with the Rev. Martin Jacobs officiating. Burial will be in the Locklear Family Cemetery in Wagram.

Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com

Betty C. Batchlor

Betty Batchelor, 86, of Red Springs, passed away peacefully on April 27, 2017 at FirstHealth Hospice House in Pinehurst, surrounded by her loving family.

Born on June 1, 1930 to the late Hector Fleet Currie and Annie McPhaul Currie, she was the youngest of six siblings. She graduated from the Hoke County public school system and attended Flora MacDonald College, where she attained a degree in bookkeeping in 1949. Soon after graduation, she joined Lewis McFayden at his business, the Red Springs Fuel Oil Company. It was here that Betty met a coworker and her future husband, Edward Keith Batchelor ("Eddie"). They were married in 1953, and established residency in Red Springs. They had four children and she continued her career at the Fuel Oil Company for over sixty years.

She cherished her family's growth and spiritual development at Antioch Presbyterian Church and Red Springs Presbyterian Church, where she served as both deacon and elder. She was recognized with a Lifetime Award by the Presbyterian Women of the Church. She also took pride in her involvement and work with the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), Dilettante Club, and Presbyterian Women's Circle. She enjoyed her professional work and especially her close relationship with the "boys" of the Fuel Oil Company, who meant so much to her and who she considered a part of her family. 

She was predeceased by her parents, husband, brothers, and and sisters. She is survived by her children Shauna Lovin (Tim), of Southern Pines, Keith Batchelor (Julie), of Raleigh, Currie Batchelor (Pam) of Ocean Isle Beach, and Susan Krebs (Rob) of Davidson; grandchildren Ryan Lovin (Swapna), Graham Lovin (Allison), Madelyn Krebs, Ian Krebs, Alexi Batchelor, Bruce Batchelor, and Jacob Yount.

The funeral will be held on  Saturday, April 29 at Red Springs Presbyterian Church at 3 p.m., with a visitation beforehand in the fellowship hall from 1-2:30 p.m. Interment will be at Antioch Presbyterian Church following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Red Springs Presbyterian Church, 115 North Vance Street, Red Springs, North Carolina 28377 or Antioch Presbyterian Church, 6583 Red Springs Road, Red Springs, North Carolina 28377.

 

 

Tommie L. Price

Tommie Lee Price of Raeford passed away Wednesday, April 26, 2017 at the age of 55. 
He was born August 16, 1961 in Kinston to the late Robert R. Price and Mildred Tillman Price. He was preceded in death by his brother, Dennis W. Price. 
He is survived by two sisters, Wanda K Thames (Ricky) of Fayetteville, and Glenda F. Edge (Doug) of Raeford; two nieces, April Swany (Travis) and Jessica Allen (Shawn); and two nephews, Joshua Price (Sara) Timothy Edge. 
A private memorial service will be held. 
Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com 

Henry W. Hicks Sr.

Henry Wayland Hicks Sr., 93, of Raeford, formerly of Candor, died Monday, April 24, 2017 at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst.

He was born on June 18, 1923 in the Onvil community of Montgomery County.  He was the first of four sons born to the late Henry Harrison Hicks and Ina Sedberry Hicks Craven.  His brothers, Calvin, Bill and Neil predeceased him as did his loving wife of 53 years, Mozelle Thompson Hicks.

He graduated from Troy High School in 1942 and before serving his country, was a welder in the Navy shipyards in Wilmington, North Carolina building Liberty ships.  He served his country as part of the World War II European Theater.  He served in the Army and was a member of the 83rd division, 330th infantry regiment, C Company – the Thunderbolts.  After suffering an injury, he was moved into the U.. Army Air Corps and was a part of the 464th Bomb Group.  He came back to Candor in 1946 and made his home there.  He married Mozelle in 1953 and they had two sons. He was a caring and loving father and an even more devoted husband. He had a love of farming and had a mechanical mind.  He worked with several different farmers in Moore and Montgomery counties for many years by helping with the planting, harvesting or building an engine or transmission in a tractor.

In recent years, he was more active in exploring his military past by reaching out to fellow Thunderbolts and traveling back to Europe.  He was able to reconnect with the Thunderbolts and participated in their annual reunion events across the country.  At the 2015 reunion, he, along with other surviving veterans, were awarded the French military’s highest honor, the National Order of the Legion of Honour and was knighted by the French government.  In 2012, he, along with his two sons, traveled across Europe and was able to visit some of the same areas and battlefields he had experienced as a young soldier 70 years prior.  Though he didn’t feel as if he deserved it, he received a hero’s welcome in many of the towns that they visited, including a parade and the honor of lowering our nation’s flag over the US Cemetery in Luxembourg.

He was proud of the town he lived in and was a pillar of the Candor community.  This was exemplified when he was named the Grand Marshal of the North Carolina Peach Festival parade in 2014.  He also volunteered at the Candor Fire Department for more than 25 years.  Together with Mozelle, they owned and operated the Candor Flower Shop for more than 33 years bringing the beauty of flowers to so many.  Since 1949, he has been a committed member of Candor Baptist Church, where he served as a Deacon, and was the oldest living member of the church until his passing.

He is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, Henry and Lydia Hicks of Raeford, and Billy and Rose Hicks, of Waukee, Iowa.  His grandchildren are Way Hicks and his wife, Andrea, of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, McKenzie Long and her husband, Jay, of Wilson, North Carolina,

Andrew Hicks and his girlfriend, Rachel Plummer of Dallas, Texas, and Alexis, Abigail, and Amelia Hicks of Waukee, Iowa.  Charlotte Ann Long and Aiden Kane Hicks are his great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his stepdaughter, Judith Marcum of Yuma, Arizona, his sister-in-law, Delores Hicks of La Porte, Texas, and his special friend, Mrs. Frances Pigford of Troy, North Carolina.  He leaves behind a host of loved ones, including the Thompson family, which made him one of their own even before he and Mozelle were married.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 27 at Briggs-Candor Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday, April 28 at Candor Baptist Church, with the Rev. Steve Jarman and Pastor John Baker officiating.  Burial will follow with military honors in Candor Cemetery.

Flowers accepted or memorials may be made to the Candor Baptist Church, PO Box 614, Candor NC  27229 or to the Candor Volunteer Fire Dept., PO Box 580, Candor NC  27229.

Online condolences may be made at www.briggsfuneralhome.com

Schandra G. McLeod

Schandra Gale McLeod, 47, of Raleigh, died suddenly Sunday, April 23, 2017 at the home of her parents.

She was a native of Raeford and is daughter of the Rev. Walter Emmett McLeod and Delois Leggett McLeod.

She was a 1988 graduate of Hoke High School and received a bachelor's degree from Bennett College and a master's degree in Psychology from N.C. Central University. She was a member of Zeta Phi Beta sorority.

She is survived by her parents; two daughters, Caroline Emily and Jaden McLeod; a sister, Chris McLeod; and two brothers, Steven and Gregory McLeod.

A viewing will be held Friday, April 29 at Doby's Funeral Home from 2-6 p.m.

The funeral will be held at 3:30 p.m. Apri9l 30, 2017 at Piney Grove M.B. Church, 798 Old Maxton Road, Raeford.

Burial will follow in McAllister Family Cemetery in Raeford.

Leonard W. Brock Jr.

Leonard William Brock Jr. of Raeford passed away Monday, April 24, 2017 at the age of 45. 
He was born May 01, 1971 in Pinehurst to Leonard William Brock Sr. and Betty Lisenby Brock. He was member of the Masonic Lodge. 
In addition to his parents, he is survived by a son Ethan Brock of Raeford; his former wife Donna Baker Brock of Raeford; a brother, Michael Brock of Dansville, Illinois; and 2 aunts, Sarah French (Keith) and Reva Riddle (Lewis, both of Oak Island.  
A visitation will be held 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, April 26, 2017 at Crumpler Funeral Home. 
The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 27, 2017 at Crumpler Funeral Home.  

Interment will be in the Raeford Cemetery. 
Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com 

Mary Katherine Watts

Mary Katherine Watts of Raeford passed away in her home on Tuesday, April 25, 2017 at the age of 51. 
She was born in Columbus County on June 22, 1965 to the late Levi Owen Watts and Mary Buckler Smith. She was a loving wife, mother, and friend. She was most at peace when she was with the ones she loved at the beach. 
She leaves behind her husband, Jack Allen Ellis, her sons, Jack Allen Ellis Jr., and Dustin Lee Ellis, all of Raeford; two brothers and a sister; and her best friend, Linda Kay. 
A visitation will be held on Thursday, April 27, 2017 from 7-9 p.m. at Crumpler Funeral Home in Raeford. 
A private family memorial service will be held at a later date. 
Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com