Search Obituaries

Friday, February 21, 2020

Dorothy McMillian

Dorothy McMillian died  Wednesday, February 19, 2020 at age 90.
She was the daughter of Robert Maurice Cox and Maggie McVicker Cox. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, John Duncan McMillian, her brother, Robert Maurice Cox Jr. and her daughter-in-law, Kay Lentz McMillian.
She grew up and spent her entire life in Raeford. It was there that she married, worked, raised twins, retired and made lifelong friends. She shared the path of her life with those who are left to cherish the memories she left in their hearts.
She is survived by her daughter, Pam Senter and husband, Bill; her son, Smokey McMillian and wife, Becky; her grandchildren, Maggie Bennington, Neil Senter, Joli Blanks and Anna McMillian; and her six great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the church she attended all her life: Raeford Presbyterian Church, 128 Edinborough Ave., Raeford, NC 28376

Tuesday, February 18, 2020

Lewis "Ed" Clanton

Lewis Edward (Ed) Clanton, also known as Clancy by his friends and family on the west coast, son of Margaret McInnis Clanton, died February 15, 2020. He was 92. 
He spent his early years in Dundarrach and Miami. In June of 1944 at the age of 16 he joined the Merchant Marines and was exposed to enemy action in Italy and the Philippines. He stayed in the Merchant Marines after the war and joined the U.S. Navy in October 1947 and spent the next 25 years in a very successful career. He was awarded numerous medals and citations for his service. He was an enlisted man for 15 years and reached the rank of Chief Boatswains Mate. Before being recommended by the Secretary of the Navy and approved by Congress, he was commissioned an Ensign and served 10 more years as a Commissioned Officer, and retired as a Lieutenant. 
He served on the destroyer, USS BUCK (DD-761) and minesweeper, USS TOUCAN (AM-387) during the Korean War and saw much enemy action. He retired from the Navy in January 1973. He then went to work for the Water Department for the City of Long Beach, California for five years. He transferred to the Harbor Department and worked 11 years as a Wharfinger in the Port of Long Beach. He retired from that position in August 1989. 
He is survived by his loving wife of 42 years Glenda Clanton of Raeford; a daughter, Gail Tustin of Petluma, California; a son, Gary Reese of Rohnert Park, California; four grandchildren, Erica, Matthew, Ronni, Alexander; and three great-grandchildren. 
A visitation will be held 6-8 p.m. Friday, February 21, 2020 at Crumpler Funeral Home, 131 Harris Avenue, Raeford. 
A memorial dervice will be held at noon  Saturday, February 22, 2020 at the Dundarrach Community Church with the Rev. Dr. Ray Harris officiating. Inurnment will be in the church cemetery with full Military Honors from the US Navy.

Monday, February 17, 2020

Johnsie R. Douglas

Johnsie Richardson Douglas of Raeford died Monday February 17, 2020 at age 87.
She was born October 12, 1932 in Moore County, daughter of the late William D. Richardson and Sadie Peele Richardson. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Barbara Douglas.
She was a member of Raeford First Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School for 54 years, and was volunteer and supported the First Baptist Church Christian Academy.  Her love for children was also demonstrated with 20 years of service in the Hoke County Schools as a teacher assistant. She was active with Meals on Wheels, Raeford Hoke Museum, Open Arms Retirement Home and the Home Extension Club.
She is survived by her husband James E. Douglas of Raeford; a daughter, Carolyn D. Caddell of Raeford; two sons, Allen K. Douglas and wife Debra of Raeford, and Richard S. Douglas of Carthage; a sister, Sally Thomas of Southern Pines; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
A visitation will be held 10-11 a.m. Wednesday, February 19, 2020 at the Raeford Baptist Church, 333 North Main Street, Raeford.
The funeral will follow at 11 at the church with the Rev. Tom Lee officiating.
A private burial will be in Pineywood Baptist Church Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to: First Baptist Church, 333 North Main Street, Raeford, NC 28376. 
Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com.

The Honorable Robert Byrd (Bob) Jordan III

"A powerful, gentle public servant"

October 11, 1932 - February 16, 2020

Died peacefully at home, overlooking Lake Tillery in Mount Gilead, North Carolina, surrounded by his loving family.

Bob Jordan, was married to Sarah Jane Cole of Raeford, North Carolina for 61 years.

He was preceded in life by his parents R. B. Jordan Jr. and Irene Pritchett Jordan.

He is followed in life by: daughter Betsy Lynn Jordan, of Wilmington/Raleigh/Washington DC granddaughter, Jordan Ashley Fife, son, Robert Byrd Jordan IV, of Mt. Gilead, m. Wendy Alyson Jordan, his grandchildren, Amber Solomon, m. Chris Solomon and their three children, Sabrina Shaw m. Gilbert Shaw, and their three children, Wesley Cole Jordan, m. Laiken Jordan, and their three children, Vincent Michael Jordan, m. Brittany Martin Jordan, and their three children, Robert Landon Jordan, m. Edna Chang Jordan, India Sehoy Jordan,  daughter, Janie Cole Jordan m. Carter Randolph Jordan, grandson Christopher Donovan Andrews m. Mary Hannah Andrews, and granddaughters Sarah "Cole" Jordan, Caroline Farrar Jordan brother Jack Pritchett Jordan, m. Sue Ingram Jordan, of Mt. Gilead, NC their two sons and families, sister Irene Eugenia Jordan Ussery, m. John William Ussery, of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina their four children and families.

Bob Jordan served as Lt. Gov. of North Carolina from 1984 to 1988, and as state senator from 1976 to 1984. His history of public service included leading efforts to improve economic and educational opportunities for citizens. He established the Commission on Jobs and Economic Growth, which made far-reaching recommendations for the state. He was instrumental in the establishment of the North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center, which provides leadership in renewing and expanding rural North Carolina as well as providing job development and leadership training for citizens of rural communities. As a result, he advised Presidents and Governors on rural economic development.  The center has established programs for providing loans to entrepreneurs and minorities in rural areas.

He participated in the creation of the UNC Board of Governors, and served on both the UNCC and NCSU's Board of Trustees. He provided leadership for the establishment of the Basic Education Program, a comprehensive plan to provide equal access to quality education, across the board, for all of North Carolina's children. He helped champion the nationally recognized Teaching Fellows program, an aggressive teacher recruitment program, which provides scholarships for the best and the brightest high school students who are interested in becoming teachers. Jordan designed and successfully pushed the passage of a $3.2 billion school facilities act to expand school construction across the state.

As Lt. Governor, he established the first Senate Committee on Children and Youth. He pushed for stronger daycare laws and the creation of the North Carolina Center for missing children. He worked for passage of the Housing Trust Fund…A first-time fund to help provide adequate housing for thousands of families and work for fair workers compensation laws. He promoted and led the passage of the Recreational National Heritage Trust Fund, which provides millions of dollars annually to purchase land for preservation. Jordan was the leader in the effort to establish the Technological Development Authority and the North Carolina Biotechnology Center.

Jordan was an honors graduate of North Carolina State University in the School of Forestry. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant. in the U.S. Army after graduation in 1954,  and served in Europe in 1955 to 1956 leaving the service as Captain.

Post graduate recognition included: Honorary Doctor of Sciences from NC State University, Honorary Doctor of Humanities from Methodist College, and Honorary Doctor of Laws from UNCC.

During his tenure as lieutenant governor as evidence of continued division of opinion, and his commitment to equity, he cast two deciding votes: one against the lottery, believing it to be a regressive tax on the poorest among us, (overturned twenty years later, in again, a deciding vote by Lt. Governor) and one in favor of state funded abortion, stating that as the law of the land at the time, the option should be made available to all.

He served as CEO and President of Jordan Lumber & Supply, Inc. and its affiliates from the time he returned from the armed services, until being succeeded by his son, Robert, this year. His interest in caring for our natural resources and growing a better pine tree, is evident. Jordan Lumber has been awarded nationally for innovation, marshaling of resources and protecting natural resources, earning it the distinction of the largest independently owned lumber wholesaler manufacturer, in the world.

He has been celebrated with the distinction of belonging to the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, which is the highest award in NC for public service.  He is a member of First United Methodist Church in Mount Gilead, and supported his wife, Sarah, in her advocacy for the Methodist Home for Children.

He became a member of Blackmere Lodge #127 in 1954, and was a member of the Oasis Shrine.

Bob Jordan was accessible, with a ready smile, a love for the water whether sailing or boating, on the lake, or the sea. And in the words of a close friend, "Everything Bob does, he does for his family. " His family extended from the mountains, to the coast of North Carolina, his idea of public service, the best of all leadership, with emphasis on service.

The family will receive visitors on Tuesday evening from 6-9 p.m. at the First United Methodist church Fellowship Hall, 106 N. Main Street, Mt. Gilead, NC 27306 On Wednesday, February 19, at 11 a.m., the Celebration of Life service will be held at the West Montgomery High School Auditorium, 147 Warrior Drive, Mt. Gilead, NC 27306.  The public is invited for a reception immediately following the service at the First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall.

All family members are invited for a private, family-only graveside service, at Sharon Cemetery, HWY 731, Mt. Gilead, NC before the reception. Thank you

In lieu of flowers, please submit memorials to any one of the following: 

NC Biotechnology Center, 15 TW Alexander Dr., Durham, NC 27709

NC Rural Economic Development Center, 4021 Cary Dr, Raleigh, NC 27610

UNCG Teaching Fellows, Office of Student Services and Advisors School of Education Building, Room 142, 1300 Spring Garden St. Greensboro, NC 27402-6170

Methodist Home for Children, 1041 Washington St, Raleigh, NC 27605

Annie McQuage


Annie Miriam Propst McQuage of Raeford, born January 17, 1958, died at Southeastern Regional medical Center on February 7, 2020 at 62 years of age.
She graduated from Hoke County High School in 1976 and later attended college at Fayetteville Technical Community College where she obtained her LPN.  She practiced nursing for many years at Moore Regional Hospital, Cape Fear Hospital, in Hospice and home health.  She also worked alongside her husband at his convenience store in Raeford.
She is survived by her husband of 41 years, James McQuage and two children, Maranda McQuage of Raeford and Patrick McQuage of Shannon (fiance Jessica Bowers), and one grandchild, Leah Ithier.
She is preceded in death by her parents, David Propst and Ethel Williams Propst, and her brother, Earl Propst.
The family will receive friends at Pittman Grove Baptist Church, 4921 Pittman Grove Church Road, Raeford on Sunday, February 23, 2020 at 2 p.m. A memorial service will follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation in Annie's name be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.

Donald E. Pittman

Donald Earl Pittman died Sunday, February 16, 2020 at Duke University Hospital at the age of 71.
He was born in Hoke County on September 3, 1948. He was preceded in death by his father, Lawrence Brown Pittman and his sister Lois Batton.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years Annie Smith Pittman of Raeford; a daughter, Dee Pittman Inman of Raeford; a son, Lawrence G. Pittman and his wife Lisa of Raeford; 4 grandchildren, Nikole Inman, Cameron Inman, Justin Pittman and Kelly Pittman; his mother, Sarah Guinn Pittman of Raeford; and two sisters, June Edwards and her husband Maurice of Orum, and Karen Bowman of Raeford.
A private memorial service will be held later.
Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com