Mary Warwick

Mary Lynn Simmons Baker Warwick of Hoke County died Sunday, August 20 at her home, surrounded by loved ones, at the age of 83. 

She was born September 21, 1939 in Robeson County to the late Odell and Eula Simmons. 

She was a faithful Christian. She served as a Sunday school teacher for many many years as well as a Bible school director and volunteer. 

She loved the outdoors. She was a wonderful gardener. Gardening was the highlight of her days. She loved growing vegetables, grapes, blueberries, and flowers. Her yard is always in bloom with an assortment of flowers. She loved any and every flower. She could rescue a dying plant and nurse it to a beautiful healthy flower. She hated dandelions. She was the hardest working woman.

She loved to converse. She never met a stranger. She loved to feed anyone who visited her, especially her family on Sunday afternoons. She loved her family dearly. She insisted on a take-home plate and encouraged the afternoon nap. She was a giving person, you could not leave her home without food or gift in hand. She would do anything to help anyone in need including family, friends and strangers. She was also known for her cakes. She baked cakes for weddings, parties and everything in between. She is in heaven conversing, cooking and gardening and trying to feed all the angels.

She was preceded in death by her first husband Jack Leonard Baker of 45 years and her second husband John Hugh Warwick of 11 years; brothers Bruce Simmons and Norris Simmons; and her beloved dog, Rosie.

She is survived by her daughter Jackie Logwood (George), her son Wendell Baker(Betty), her son Kevin Baker (Teresa) and her daughter Sharon Baker Wilson; seven grandchildren, Connie Logwood, Renee Fleet ( Nehemiah), Brandon Baker,  Nevin Wilson, Jack Wilson, China Cabel ( Josiah), and Carter Wilson; seven great-grandchildren, Auriah Taylor, Orianna Fleet, Joanna Fleet, Mia Fleet, Nehemiah Fleet Jr, Layla Fleet and Maddox Wilson; her sister, Faye S. Callahan; many nieces, nephews and cousins; Josh York, a very special person to her family; and special friends Pamela Medley, Sarah Sheppard, and Pidgie Chapman. 

A visitation will be held from 10-11 a.m. Saturday, August 26, 2023 in the Crumpler Funeral Home Chapel. A funeral will follow at 11 a.m.  Burial will be in the Raeford Cemetery at noon.

The family would like to thank FirstHealth Hospice Care.

Charles David Averette

Charles David Averette of Raeford died Tuesday, August 15, 2023 in his home, surrounded by his family, at the age of 85.

He was born in Cumberland County on November 7, 1937 to the late Charles Vance Averette and Louise McArthur Averette.

He graduated from Elizabethtown High School in 1956 and went on to attend N.C. State College in May of 1960 where he earned a BS in Civil Engineering. At the same time, he received his 2ND Lieutenant bars from ROTC.

On July 23, 1960 he married the love of his life, Mickey Brock, in the Raeford Presbyterian Church. Shortly after, on September 21, 1960 he and his new bride went to Fort Belvoir where he was assigned to the Army Corps of Engineers until September 22, 1962.

On October 1, 1962 he went to work for the City of Fayetteville as an assistant Engineer. In 1966 he was employed by the Fayetteville Works Commission as an Engineer. On January 31, 1969, he became a Registered Professional Engineer with the Board of Examiners for Engineers and his Land Surveyor Examiners approval on October 10, 1975.

In June 1970 he started his own business as Charles D. Averette, Engineer. In March 1973 the business became Averette and King Engineering P.A. after the partnership with Larry King. In June 1980 Larry left to form his own business Larry King and Associates, and he has been very successful. The business then became Averette Engineering Co., P.A. Larry and Davis continued to help each other on projects when needed. They were great friends as well as business men.

In March of 1973, Davis became a member of professional Engineers of North Carolina and was involved in a lot of activities to promote this organization. His first elected office was Treasurer, then secretary, went on to become Vice-President and lastly President. In 1985 he received the Distinguished Service Award; another honor was to be in the first group of members chosen to be fellows.

He was also an active member with the N.C. Society of Surveyors and the Cape Fear Society of Surveyors. From 1995-2000 David was chair of the Engineering and Surveying Technology Classes at FTCC and also taught classes during this time. For several years before having this opportunity, he taught classes for Dr. King who was the chair when he needed a teacher. On December 12, 2017, he was honored with Charles D. Averette Geomatics Scholarship at FTCC.

He loved sports. In high school he played football, basketball, and baseball and was a good player in all of them. As an adult he played softball and basketball in church leagues. At 55 years of age, he started playing basketball in the Senior Games. At age 82, he couldn't find anyone his age to make a team and he finally had to quit.

He was an avid N.C. State Wolfpack fan and attended their football games for many seasons.

He served as a deacon at Gethsemane Baptist Church, Eutaw Heights Baptist Church and Synder Memorial Baptist Church, Cumberland County Planning Board, Cumberland County Board of Health, Fayetteville Operation Inasmuch, and Fayetteville Area Habitat for humanity.

He is survived by his beloved wife for 63 years, Mary ‟Mickey" Averette; sons, Michael David Averette (Mitzi) of Raeford, Steven David Averette (Tracy) of Raeford; a daughter, Maria Averette Purvis (Tim) of Raeford; grandchildren, Mitchell Averette (Brianna), Chelsea Elizabeth Averette, Carly Diane Averette, Brock Goetz Averette; step grandchildren, Tiffany Vega, Carl Vega, Angel Vega, Stephanie Allen, Haleigh Allen Grody (Sean), Jeffrey Allen (Lucy), and Austin Brisson and 16 step great-grandchildren, and many extended family members and friends.

Visitation will be held 10-11 a.m. Friday, August 25, 2023 at Snyder Memorial Baptist Church, 701 Westmont Drive, Fayetteville, N.C. 28305.

A celebration of life will follow the visitation at 11 a.m. with Reverend Sandy Saunders officiating.

In lieu of flowers he would like for donations to be given to the Charles D. Averette Geomatics Scholarship at Fayetteville Technical Community College, 2201 Hull Road, Fayetteville, Nc 28303, International Operation Inasmuch Inc., PO Box 2523, Knoxville TN 37901, Fayetteville Operation Inasmuch, 531 Hillsboro Street, Fayetteville, NC 28301, Snyder Memorial Baptist Church Audio/Video Systems, 701 Westmont Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28305.

Joeanne Whitfield

Joeanne Whitfield, loving mother and devoted grandmother and great-grandmother, peacefully passed away Saturday, August 12, 2023  in Pinehurst at the age of 76.

The family will receive friends from 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, August 22, 2023 at March Life Tribute Center, 5616 Old Court Road, Windsor Mill, Maryland and at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, August 23, 2023 at Liberty Seventh Day Adventist, 3301 Milford Mill Road, 21244 at 10:30 a.m. followed by a funeral at 11 a.m.

Carl Eugene Miller

Carl Eugene Miller of Lumber Bridge died August 20, 2023 at the age of 82.

He was born in St. Albans, West Virginia on April 23, 1941 to the late John and Mary Miller.

He was a devoted Christian.

He served 15 years in the United States Army before medically retiring. He was a free-fall parachutist and enjoyed the sport for 55 years. He was on the Pieces of Eight Amputee Skydiving Team for 20 years. He was also on the Seventh Army Parachute Team for four years in Europe.

He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Carole Richard Miller, originally from West Virginia; four sons, Eugene Cameron Miller, Carl Bernard Miller, Cledith Richard Miller (Teresa), and Ronald Alvey Miller; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

A public viewing will be held on Friday, August 25, 2023, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

A service will be held at Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery at noon Friday, September 1, 2023, with military honors.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the Disabled Veterans Association local chapter.