Reeta Baker

Reeta McMillan Baker of Raeford died Wednesday, July 24, 2019 at FirstHealth Hospice House in Pinehurst at the age of 91.
She was born in Scotland County on April 15, 1928 to Neil Alexander McMillan and Minnie Stubbs McMillan. She was preceded in death by her husband, Elwood Baker, and her children Doug Baker, Neil Baker, Carolyn Baker and Lisa Faye Baker.
She is survived by her grandchildren, Christy Baker and Jessie Baker, both of Highland, New York, Shawn Baker of Raeford, and J.D. Baker of Nebraska; four great-grandchildren; and her sister, Ardenia Davis of Lumber Bridge.
Visitation will be held Friday, July 26, 2019 from 6-8 p.m. at Crumpler Funeral Home, 131 Harris Ave. Raeford.
A graveside memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 27, 2019 at the Raeford Cemetery with the Rev. Tex Deaton Officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Foundation of FirstHealth Hospice, 150 Applecross Road, Pinehurst, NC 28374
Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com

Mary Alexander

Mary Grey Helton Alexander, 93, died peacefully at Chatham Ridge Assisted Living in Chapel Hill July 22, 2019. She was born and lived in Quinwood, West Virginia. When she was about eight years old, she relocated with her mother and brothers to Timberland near Raeford. After graduating from high school in Raeford, she obtained a music degree from Mars Hill College. She married William Lona Alexander (Bill) in 1947 in Raeford, and they then moved to Chapel Hill to attend the University of North Carolina and start a family. 

She enjoyed the creative side of life as she was known for her musical gifts, paintings of natural landscapes,  sewing anything from handbags to quilts, and gardening  everything from cacti to beautiful flowers. She was well known for her love of children, humor, cheerful disposition, positive attitude, and uplifting spirit.

She and her family were charter members of Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Chapel Hill. Her membership was recently transferred to University United Methodist Church in Chapel Hill. 

She was preceded in death by her daughter Ann, husband, a sister, Neville, two brothers, Lawrence and Eldred, and her parents, Mary Tapp Helton and Ralph Joseph Helton. She is survived by three children and their families, Joe of Chapel Hill, Marc of Kinston, and Kim of Richmond, Virginia. 

A private family grave-side service will be held at the Raeford City Cemetery on Sunday. 

Considering her love of children, and in lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Children and Family Ministries of University United Methodist Church, 150 East Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 or a charity of choice. Funeral arrangements are by Walker's Funeral Home in Chapel Hill.