Donna Strother

Donna Kay McMillan Strother died August 10, 2023 at St Joseph's of the Pines after a nine-month illness with cancer, at the age of 68.

She was born November 30, 1954 in Fayetteville to Nora McMillan Meismer and the late Grover Franklin McMillan of Raeford.

She graduated from Hoke County High School in 1973 and worked in the banking industry for many years, and later owned her own in-home daycare in Whispering Pines. She and her late husband Garry Strother retired to Holden Beach in 2013.

She is survived by daughters Beth Dietrich of Whispering Pines, and Allison Suggs (Dale) of Whiteville; grandsons Grover Dietrich and Parker Suggs; her mother Nora Meismer; sisters Vicky Scarboro of Carthage and Tammi McMillan of Raeford; and many nieces, nephews and cousins whom she shared a special love with. She leaves behind her four-legged babies, Emma Jane and Maggie Mae.

William Chandler

William Chandler died September 5, 2023 at the age of 66.

He was born August 25, 1957.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie H. Chandler and Annie Mildred Patterson Chandler.

He is survived by his siblings: Loretta Graham, Lorene Carpenter, Mary A. Chandler, Charles Chandler, Frank Chandler, Allen Chandler along with a host of other family and friends.

A celebration to honor his life and legacy will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, September 12 at the Buie's Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation was held 1-4 p.m. Monday, September 11 at the chapel.

David Long

David Long died peacefully September 4, 2023 at the age of 74.

He was born June 6, 1949 in Nebraska to the late Asa Long and Verna Alberts.

Also known as "Termite," he lived in Raeford for many years, and was Hoke County's oldest teenager. There are many memories, funny stories, pranks, and jokes to be forever cherished. He enjoyed many hobbies such as fishing, four wheelers, horseback riding, hunting, and camping. He would spend countless hours talking on his CB radio. Anyone that knew him knew the dash between his sunrise and sunset was lived to the fullest.

He never liked to say "goodbye," for him it was always, "see you later." So as we release him into the loving arms of Jesus with family and friends that anxiously await him at the gates of Heaven, we say "see you later."

He loved his family and the many dear friends he had in his life. He would not want us to shed tears, but to laugh, love, and live our lives to the fullest.

He is survived by his three children, Kenneth Long (Christy), Heather Thompson (David), Heidi Baker (Eddie); nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and a multitude of family and friends who love him dearly.

Per our father's wishes, he did not want a funeral service. So, in honor of our father, we will have a celebration of life. Details of that will be shared at a later date.

Online memorials may be made on the Crumpler Funeral Home website.