Glenda C. Lester

Glenda Clippard Lester, 76, died unexpectedly April 12, 2019 at FirstHealth Hoke Hospital.

She was born July 26, 1942. Glenda, or Grandma as many knew her, lived a selfless life serving her community. As a member of Raeford Presbyterian Church, she served as an elder, committee member of Ministry of Christian Education, chairwoman of the Spiritual Nurture Committee, member of Coastal Carolina Presbytery Missions Committee, youth advisor, and Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher. She made regular trips to Mexico to build houses with Faith Ministry. She was known to regularly provide scholarship money to underprivileged kids of the church, and sponsor children through Compassion International. She provided free tutoring for children at the local library, and served on the Friends of the Library Committee. She was heavily involved with Hoke County Habitat for Humanity, Operation Christmas Child, fundraising for the book mobile, and the book exchange across Hoke County. In her 57-year career as a teacher, she touched the lives of countless children. She spent 46 years at J.W. McLauchlin Elementary School, before retiring from the state. She then spent an additional 11 years at Flora Macdonald Academy. In 1986 she was honored as Hoke County's Teacher of the Year. 

She is survived by a sister, Deborah C. Wellington of New Bern; two nephews, Jason Bryant Wellington (Laura) of Wilmington, and Patrick Brock Wellington (Theresa) of Indian Land, South Carolina; two great-nephews, Charlie Wellington, and Luke Wellington; one great-niece, Betsy Wellington; and her companion in life, L.S. Brock of Raeford, and his daughter, Lynn Brock.

Visitation will be Thursday, April 18, 2019 from 10-11 a.m. in John C. Ropp Fellowship Hall, at Raeford Presbyterian Church. The funeral will follow at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Dr. Steven Fitzgerald officiating. Burial will be in Raeford Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Raeford Presbyterian Church Youth Program, or Raeford Presbyterian Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 1570 Raeford, NC 28376

Mollie Whiteis

Mollie Ann Scull Whiteis, 81, of Decatur, Texas died Thursday, March 21, 2019.  

She was born November 29, 1937 in Raeford. She was the wife of Lester Martin Whities from 1954 until his death in 2002.  She worked for Sears for 20 years, and was a devoted volunteer for Meals on Wheels. She was also a member of Victory in Christ Lutheran Church.  She is survived by her daughter, Shirley and husband Charles Cataldo of Southlake, Texas; grandchildren, Christopher Cataldo, Jennifer Scott, and Michael Whiteis; great-granddaughter Emilie Whiteis; brother, Josh Scull of Raeford; two sisters, Elizabeth Maxwell of Claudeville, Virginia and Marguerite Dees of Raeford; and Helen Morris of Azle, Texas, and Col. Robert J. Mattes of Annadale, Virginia.

Burial was March 25, 2019 at Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park in Colleyville, Texas. 

Glenda Craig

Glenda D. Craig, age 78, of Supply, formerly of Raeford, died April 14, 2019 at SECU Hospice House of Brunswick in Bolivia.
She was born April 8, 1941 in Robeson County. She is preceded in death by her husband, Howard Craig.
She is survived by sons, Billy Craig of Supply, and Kenneth Craig of Raeford; a daughter, Yvonne Whitmire of Supply; seven grandchildren, Beth Cook, A.J. Combs, Brittany Witherite, Christian Craig, Justin Craig, Kevin Craig, and LeeAnna Craig; three great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, April 17, 2019 from 10-11 a.m. at Crumpler Funeral Home in Raeford.
The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 17, 2019 at Crumpler Funeral Home Chapel with Otho Tew officiating. Burial will be in the Raeford Cemetery.
Condolences to the family may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com