Earl
Brown Hendrix, 85, of Raeford passed away peacefully at First Health Hospice
House on April 7, 2018.
He was
born in Hoke County on October 23rd, 1932 to the late James Robert
Hendrix Sr. and Maggie McDonald Hendrix. He was preceded in death by his late
wife of 64 years Hazel McMillan Hendrix, his son Kenneth Earl Hendrix, and his
brothers James Jr., Lacy, Samuel, Fred and James Arthur Hendrix.
He moved
with his family to their farm in Hoke County when he was four years old. He
followed his father to the family farm and became a leading figure in North
Carolina agribusiness. He served on numerous agricultural boards including
the N.C. Soybean Board for over two decades where he was a founding director, the
N.C. Wheat Board, N.C. Small Grain Growers Association, and the Hoke County Soil
and Water Board. He received numerous awards for his success in agriculture
and his work to leave a legacy for future generations, including the American
Soybean Association 2008 Regional Conservation Legacy Award. He also served as the Hoke County Farm
Bureau president since 1992. He was Progressive Farmer’s 1998 and 1999 Man of
the Year for Service in N.C. Agriculture, and N.C. Sunbelt Farmer of the Year in 1999.
In 1993, he was N.C. Department of Agriculture Friend of Agriculture. He and his family were the N.C. Extension Service’s Outstanding Farm Family in 1987
and he was the Conservation Farmer of the year in 1987. He was named Outstanding
Young Farmer in 1959.
He was a
lifelong member of Raeford United Methodist Church where he was a leader in the
Bob Lewis Sunday School Class. He taught children’s Sunday School and helped
with the children during Vacation Bible School. He served on the Trustee and
Finance committees and the Church Council. He treasured his church and his
church family. He had a zest for life and was a man of strong faith and
values. He was a good friend to many in the community and across the state.
He served as a member of the local National Guard unit for eight years
alongside many of his classmates, reaching the rank of Sergeant First Class
before leaving the service to concentrate on the family farm’s growth. He had a
strong love for God, his country and his community. His family was at the
center of his life. Papa, or Pop, as he was affectionately known by his
children and grandchildren will be dearly missed.
He felt
blessed to have experienced love again at the advanced age of 85. He and
Connie, former classmates, and lifelong friends, found each other and married
on December 17, 2017.
He leaves
behind his wife Connie Fulk Ellis-Hendrix; son, Gary Allen Hendrix and his
wife, Lynn of Raeford; daughter Tammie Hendrix Coxe and her husband, Mack of Raeford;
his grandchildren, William, Matthew and his wife Stephanie, Evan and his wife
Cortney, Sydney, John Arthur, Megan, and Robert; and his great-grandchildren,
Bailey, Hannah, Jacob, and Stacy. He also leaves behind his beloved five “puppies”
who helped to keep him active during Hazel’s long illness.
Visitation will be held on Monday April 9 from 6-8 p.m. at Crumpler Funeral Home in Raeford. The funeral will be
held Tuesday April 10 at 11 a.m. at Raeford United Methodist
Church with the Rev. Brian Wingo officiating. Burial will be in Highland
Biblical Gardens.
Memorials
may be made in lieu of flowers to Raeford United Methodist Church, 308 North
Main Street, Raeford, NC 28376 or First Health Hospice and Palliative Care, 150 Applecross Road, Pinehurst, NC 28374.
Online
condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com