James F. Bunce

James Franklin Bunce of Raeford died Tuesday, December 17, 2019 at his home at the age of 60.
He was born September 17, 1959 in Cumberland Co. to Jimmy Bunce and Carol Jordan Bunce.
He is preceded in death by his sister Elizabeth Bunce Reynolds.
He was a founding member of Bunce Construction, Inc., serving as vice president for 31 years. 
He was an avid collector and student of Native American artifacts and culture. He was a member of the Piedmont Archeological Society. He loved to ride his motorcycle with his wife Sherry, making five trips to the Sturgis Rally and Rolling Thunder Tribute in Washington, D.C. 
He had a wicked sense of humor especially when recounting fishing and camping trips. He was a great storyteller and loved the outdoors.
He loved big machinery beginning with a Tonka dump truck at the age of 5. In the company he was the guru of equipment operation and maintenance. He ensured projects large and small were completed on time. His work excellence was recognized by several awards from the Corps of Engineers.
He was a devoted husband, a caring son, a loyal brother, a faithful friend, and a natural leader. His courage and tenacity inspired everyone who knew him.
He is survived by his wife Sherry Klingenmeyer Bunce of Raeford; two brothers, Ricky Wayne Bunce of Raeford and Donald Andrew Bunce (Stephanie) of Fayetteville; six nieces, Farrah Bailey (Nathan), Amanda Harris (Billy), Amber Bunce Davis (Brian), Carolyn Ashley Bunce, Kristine Ann Reynolds and Victoria Nicole Reynolds; and three nephews, Christopher Bailey, Jacob Hasinger and Wade Everly Bunce.
A visitation will be held Saturday 10-11 a.m. at Raeford United Methodist Church
The funeral will follow at 11 at the church with the Rev. Brian Wingo officiating.
A private Entombment will be held later. 
Memorial donations may be made to Angels Among Us in recognition of James F. Bunce at www.anglesamongus.org.
Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com

Larry W. Davis

Larry "Bear" Wayne Davis, 67, of Raeford, died Sunday, December 15, 2019 at FirstHealth Hospice House, surrounded by his family.

He was born in Moore County on September 23, 1952, the son of the late William and Joyce Davis.  He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army. He was the long time owner of Bear's Motorcycle Shop and Bear's Bee Farm. He was a loving husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather.

He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Dornita Ellington Davis; sons, Chester Davis (Shannon) of Robbins and Adam Davis of Southern Pines; sisters, Linda Dian Cameron of Florida and Terri Lynn Burns of Hope Mills; brothers, Tommy Lee Davis (Margaret) of Aberdeen, Richard Phillip Davis of Hoffman and Johnny Darrel Davis of Raeford; and grandchildren, Carson, Luke and Rebecca.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, December 20, 2019 at 11 a.m. at Ashley Heights Baptist Church with Pastor Bucky Hendrix officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the church.

Condolences may be sent to www.coxmemorialfuneralhome.com.

 

Roger Currie

Roger Wayne (Buck) Currie of 2460 Fulford McMillan Road Raeford died Wednesday, December 18, 2019 at his home at the age of 75.
He was born on July 27, 1944, the son of the late Hugh Ellis (Bud) Currie and Frances Wright Currie. He was preceded in death by his brother, Eddie Currie.
He is survived by his sister, Frances Hawkins of Laurinburg; and five brothers, Bill Currie, Kenneth Currie and wife Ruth, and Ralph Currie all of Raeford, and Tommy Currie and David Currie, both of Wagram.
Visitation will be held Friday from 10-11 a.m. at Crumpler Funeral Home, 131 Harris Ave. Raeford.
The funeral will follow at 11 a.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Jim Smith officiating.
Burial will be in Raeford Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to: Firsthealth Hospice Foundation, 150 Applecross Road, Pinehurst. NC 28374
Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com

Jean Diehl

Jean McMahan Diehl, 60, died December 15 following a long and courageous battle with cancer.

She had retired recently as a senior printer and graphic artist with more than 30 years of service with the City of Fayetteville.

She is survived by her loving husband of 31 years Art Diehl, formerly of Raeford; Mark McMahan, and Gia of Fayetteville, Carolyn Dolan of Overland Park, Kansas, Harry and Darlene Diehl of Charlotte, Charlie, Jennifer, and Sam Diehl of Raleigh, Bob and Anne Little of New Bern, Debbie Little of Glendale, Colorado, Susan, Jeff, and Benjamin Finke of Denver, Colorado, David and Judy Bowen, Sr. of Fayetteville, David Bowen, Jr. of Matthews, Chris Bowen of Lake City, FL, Sandy Thrash of Fayetteville, and Janet Jones of Fayetteville.

A Celebration of Life event will be scheduled in January.

Arthur L. Ray

Elder Arthur Leroy Ray, 89, of Winecoff School Road, Concord, died Thursday, December 12, 2019 at the Tucker Hospice House.

He was born April 30, 1930 in Raeford, son of the late John Richard Ray and the late Maddie Handon Ray. He was educated in the Hoke County schools and attended Upchurch High School.  He was the owner and operator of a dry cleaners. He was a former member of Greater St. Paul of Brooklyn, New York and St. James United Church of God in Raeford, where he had served as chairman of the Deacon Board, superintendent of the Sunday School, choir president, and church counsel. He most recently attended New Life Baptist Church in Concord.

Services will be held Friday, December 20, 2019 at New Life Baptist Church, Concord.  Visitation will be 9-9:30 a.m. with the funeral at 9:30 a.m. Burial will follow at Highland Biblical Gardens in Raeford.

Survivors are one son, Arthur D. Ray (Linda) of Concord; three grandchildren, Deshara Ray, Ursula Ray and Lincoln Collins; and great-grandchildren, Javian Knight, and Makayla Aydelotte.

Clark Funeral Home, Inc. is serving the family.

Bruce Phillips

Bruce Phillips, 85, former sports editor of The Raleigh Times, died peacefully on December 8, 2019 after many years of declining health. He was born March 7, 1934 in Rockingham to William Cecil and Nancy Davis Phillips and attended high school in Raeford, where he lettered in three sports. He went on to further his education at ECU where he was active in many areas of student life. He was always a Pirate at heart. He began his career in sports reporting with the Raleigh Times which spanned 35 years. He was greatly respected by his readers and colleagues. He was a fun-loving, charismatic entertainer who loved to dance, play golf, go to the beach, watch sports and be around people. His laugh was infectious and he was smiling until the very end. 

He was predeceased by his parents, a brother, Bill and niece, Brooke.

He is survived by his daughters Robin Phillips and Rhonda Neely (Mike) and son Russ Phillips (Fran), brother Larry Phillips (Martha Alice), nephew Brad Phillips (Meredith), nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild with another on the way and his angel on earth Charlye Phillips, who tirelessly and faithfully visited and supported him during his years at Hillcrest.  

 A visitation is planned for family to receive friends on Friday, December 27, 2019 at City Of Oaks Funeral Home from 2-3 pm with a brief informal celebration of life at 3 pm. Please feel free to wear your golf shirts as he would have loved it.