Doreen Sessoms Thomas

Doreen Sessoms Thomas of Raeford died January 20, 2023 at Cape Fear Valley Hoke Hospital at the age of 68.

She was born February 3, 1954.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles T. Thomas; a sister, Susie Turlington; and a brother, Steve Sessoms.

She is survived by a daughter, Tammy T. Myers of Raeford; a son, Charles W. Thomas and his wife Christy of Raeford; one grandson, Joshua T. Thomas of Raeford; two sisters, Brenda Messing of Parkton and Kay Wray of Thomasville; a sister-in-law, Debra Thomas of Raeford; and several nieces and nephews. 

A private memorial service will be announced. 

Pauline Jones McPherson

Pauline Jones McPherson of Red Springs died January 22, 2023 at her home, surrounded by her loving family, at the age of 88.

She was born on February 2, 1934 to the late Johnny Jones and the late Lillie Mae Strickland Jones in Scotland County.

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Jessie McPherson; stepdaughter, Martha Ann Woods; and grandson, Marvin Ray Jones.

She is survived by two sons, Frank James McPherson (Jennie) of Red Springs; George Culbreth (Ann) of Rockfish; three daughters, Marilyn Jones (Marvin), Carolyn Hayes (Donnie) all of Red Springs; Doris Jacobs of Fayetteville; two brothers, Johnny Jones of Spartanburg, South Carolina; Robert Jones of Laurinburg; two sisters, Johnnie Lee McPherson of Laurinburg; Myrtle Wolfe of Columbia, South Carolina. A host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be Thursday, January 26, 2023 from 12:30-2:30 p.m. at Piney Grove Independent Holiness Church on Andrews Road in Raeford. The funeral will follow at 2:30 p.m. at the church.

Florence Herbert

Florence "Dolly" Verbitski Herbert passed away on January 9, 2023 at the age of 82.

She was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania on October 18, 1940 to the late Alexander and Eva Verbitski.

She retired from BB&T after 18 years. She enjoyed singing soprano for many churches and was a background singer on several records. She was an avid bowler and played very well for over 50 years. During her marriage to Edward, she was a homemaker and worked a lot with military spouse organizations. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 25 years, Edward Herbert.

She is survived by her children, Jeffrey Allen Herbert, and Ruth Herbert, and her spouse David Hensen; and four grandchildren, Nicole Cockney, Stephanie Winter, Edward McLean, and David "DC" Hensen.  

She will be buried at Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery beside her husband. The service will be announced at a later date.