Debra McKenzie

Debra Faircloth McKenzie passed away in her home on December 13, 2017 at the age of 61. 
She was born in Greenville, South Carolina on April 30, 1956 to the late William and Thelma Norton Faircloth. She was a member of Antioch Presbyterian Church and she attended Lumber Bridge Presbyterian Church where she served actively in the choir and the Presbyterian Women. She was a member of Lumber Bridge Community Choir and was the secretary of the Stonewall Volunteer Fire Department and a member of the Red Springs and Northern Foundation. She graduated from Appalachian State University and also received her master's degree from N.C. Central University in Library Science. She retired from the Cumberland County School System.  
She is survived by her husband Neill McKenzie; two sons, Matthew McKenzie of Arlington, Virginia and Daniel McKenzie of Sumter, South Carolina; a brother, William (Billy) Faircloth of Lexington, Kentucky; four sisters, Janice Russ and husband Norm of Fayetteville, Susan Johnson and husband Dwight of Stedman, Beverly Hobgood and husband Tom of Stedman and Cathy Johnson of Hope Mills; and a sister-in-law, Sherry Knott of Shannon.  
The family will receive friends 7-9 p.m. on Friday, December 15, 2017 at Crumpler Funeral Home, 131 Harris Avenue, Raeford, NC. 
The funeral will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, December 16, 2017 at Lumber Bridge Presbyterian Church with Chaplain Archie Barrington and Rev. Dr. David Hudson officiating. Burial will be in the Antioch Presbyterian Church Cemetery. 
Memorials may be made to Lumber Bridge Presbyterian Church, Music Department, PO Box 520, Lumber Bridge, NC 28357. 
Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com 

Torrance Taylor

Torrance Dwayne Taylor, known as TEE by his family and friends, died December 2, 2017 at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas.

He was born was born March 9, 1967 in Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, Virginia to Charmaine D. Taylor (Melchizedek).

He was a God-fearing man.  He was known to make others laugh and give an encouraging word. Even in his turmoil with cancer he remained funny, encouraging to others, strong in his faith, and trusting in God's will.

He attended elementary School in Oakland, California, middle school in Augsburg, Germany, and high school in Killeen, Texas, and later graduated from Pemberton Township High School in New Jersey with the class of 1985.  There in high school he played football and ran track, setting a few local and state records.

He attended college while in the Army Reserve and while on active duty.  During his active military time, he served in Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, Afghanistan, and a tour in Germany.  He retired from the military at Fort Bragg after serving a total of 22 years.

He is survived by his wife of 14 years, Patrice Taylor; Brianna and Trinity Taylor in the home; his mother Charmine, uncles, Nathaniel (Lemelle) Taylor and  Ali Da Bey (Uncle Pee Wee); children, Lakisha (Michael) Uzzell, ZarTavia S. (Eddie) Elbert, Nathaniel III Taylor; grandchildren, Ceriae Smith, Cristin Ware, Myiesha Smith, Jaevion M Felton, and Zolae A Elbert; and sister, Sherria Melette.

Visitation will be Friday, Dec. 15 at Butler Funeral Home in Red Springs from 1-5 p.m.

The funeral will be Saturday, Dec. 16 at 1 p.m. at Nazareth Missionary Baptist Church in Wagram.

Dwan Upchurch

Dwan Swindell Upchurch, 87, died on December 8, 2017 in Elizabeth City. 

She was born to Guy Swindell and Alma Jefferson Swindell on September 11, 1930 in Washington, North Carolina. She loved the banks of the Pamlico River with all her heart and was a true Beaufort County girl. 
After graduation from Meredith College, she met and married Thomas Joseph Upchurch. They made their home in Raeford, where she was a beloved seventh grade Language Arts teacher for many years. After his death, she moved to Garner, where she made many new friends and enjoyed her bridge games at the senior center. She loved her Sunday School class, and she was a great student of the Bible.  
In 2016, she moved to Elizabeth City, where she made more good friends and received tender care at the Brookdale Community there. 

She is survived by her two daughters and sons-in-law, Dwan and Harry Turner and Missy and Richard Godfrey and by her five grandchildren, Michael (Kenza) Turner, Sarah Turner, Laura (Nate) Turner, Leah Godfrey, and Mark Godfrey. 
The funeral will be held Friday, December 15, 2017 at 2 p.m. at Raeford United Methodist Church 308 North Main Street, Raeford. Pastor Susan Hobbs and the Rev. Brian Wingo will officiate. Burial will be in the Raeford Cemetery. The family will receive friends after the service at the graveside. 
Memorial contributions can be sent to Samaritan's Purse at P.O. Box 3000, Boone, N.C. 28607 or to Garner United Methodist Church Heartful of Love Fund at 201 Methodist Drive, Garner, N.C. 27529. 
Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com.