Virginia James

Virginia ("Jenny") Sue Gibson James, 73, of Salisbury, died peacefully Wednesday May 10, 2017 at her home.  She was born August 20th, 1943 in Lumberton to the late Walter Legrand Gibson and Sue Earl Dalton.

She grew up on the large family farm in Red Springs and graduated from Hoke County High School in 1961.  She then attended High Point College where she received her B.A. degree in Education in 1965.  After college, she taught elementary school in Chase City, Virginia and Lexington.  Then, after teaching 6 years, she adjusted her focus and went to work for the Department of Social Services in Lexington where she worked in the child welfare department.  From there, and in conjunction with a move back to farm life in Claudville, Virginia, she worked an additional 20 years for Northern Hospital of Surry County as a social worker.

She was a gentle soul who made friends easily and without prejudice.  She was a devoted and loving wife and mother, and had a special gift for conversation.  As a Christian she felt she best showed her faith by how she lived, and found comfort in her favorite verse, "Be still and know that I am God."

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Stephen (Steve) A. James, and her two brothers Bobby and David Gibson. 

Survivors include her sons, Shane Manuel and wife Debbie of Salisbury, and Judd Manuel and wife Amy of Thorne Bay, Alaska; a stepson, Brian James and wife Wendy of Wilmington; a step-daughter, Elizabeth (Beth) Norris and husband Brian of High Point; grandchildren, Josh Hulin and fiancé Allie Ioannides, Ashley Thompson and her husband Michael, Brandon Morris, Benjamin James, Noah James, Callie Norris, and Owen Norris; sisters-in-law, Shirley Gibson (Bobby's wife),and  Melba Gibson (David's wife), both of Raeford.

A Gathering of friends and family will be held on Saturday May 13, 2017 from 3-5 p.m. at the home of Virginia James.

Those wishing to honor her memory are welcomed to make donations in her honor to: Rowan Helping Ministries (226 N. Long Street, Salisbury, NC 28144, (704) 637-6838).

Online condolences may be made to www.carolinacremation.com.  

William J. West

William James West of Raeford passed away on Tuesday, May 9, 2017 at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst at the age of 80.

He was born in Robeson County on December 10, 1936, to the late William James West Sr. and Tishie Hardin West. He was employed with Coles Food Store and Burlington Industries before he retired. His hobbies was, classic cars and listening to Johnny Cash.

He is survived by three daughters, Shelia Underwood (Ricky) of Raeford, Teresa Jones (Jeff) of Aberdeen and Donna Marke; a brother, Bruce West of Lumberton; and a sister, Juanita West of Lumberton; five grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter.

A visitation will be held 6-8 p.m. Friday, May 12, 2017 at Crumpler Funeral Home, 131 Harris Ave. Raeford.

A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 13, 2017 at the Raeford Cemetery.

Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com

William J. Wood Jr.

William J. "Bill" Wood Jr. of Raeford passed away on Thursday, May 4, 2017 at the V. A. Medical Hospital in Fayetteville at the age of 84. 
He was born in Brooklyn, New York on March 23, 1933 to the late William and Lucille Wood. He retired from the U.S Air Force after 26 years of service. Afterwards, he was employed with the U.S Postal Service until he retired in the late '90s. He was an avid bird watcher and raised birds. 
He is survived by his wife, Frances Byrd-Wood of Raeford; two daughters, Sarah Anne Wood (Ray Jones) of Raeford, and Lindy W. Whitley (Arthur) of Raeford; a son, Charles B. Thomas of Reno, Nevada; four stepsons, Wayne Byrd, Jr.( Sheryll ), Tony Byrd, Richard Byrd, and Robin Byrd (Teresa, all of Raeford; two sisters, Peggy McNally of Florida, and Kathy Wood of Oregon; seven grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter. 
A memorial service was held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 7, 2017 with full military honors, at Crumpler Funeral Home in Raeford. 
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the NC Zoo, 4401 Zoo Parkway Asheboro, NC 27205 or Local VFW Post 10, 145 Hanger Lane Raeford, NC 28376 
Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com 

Barbara Nunn

Barbara Jones Nunn, 83, of Cary passed away Tuesday, May 2, 2017.  She was born November 24, 1933 in Vance County, daughter of the late Raymond and Ruby Jones.  She was also preceded in death by her husband, Harold S. Nunn Sr. and a sister, Murl Sanderson.

She was a former employee of Kerr Drug Mission Valley in Raleigh, Roses Department Store in Cary, and she retired from DuPont in Kinston.

She is survived by a daughter, Karen Moore and husband Chip of Apex; a son, Harold S. Nunn Jr. and wife Melanie of Raeford; six grandchildren, Brad Moore and wife Anna, Greg Moore and wife Ashley, Jeff Moore, Harold Nunn III, Heath Nunn, and Ethan Nunn; and two great grandchildren, Peyton and Jacob Moore.

A graveside service will be held Friday, May 5, 2017 at 2 p.m. in Montlawn Memorial Park in Raleigh.  The family will receive friends 1-2 p.m. Friday at Montlawn Funeral Home.

Benny Locklear

Benny Locklear of Raeford passed away Friday, April 28, 2017 in FirstHealth Moore Regional at the age of 74.

He was born in Robeson County on June 27, 1942 to the late Jethro and Ella Locklear. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Governor Locklear, Bobby Locklear; and his sister, Exand Holt. A fan of Ford vehicles and NASCAR, he enjoyed tending his garden and spending time with his family.

He leaves behind his wife, Loya Johnson Locklear of the home; his children, Tonia Oxendine and her significant other, Ronald Brown of Raeford, Cathy Cox of Raeford, Benny Locklear Jr. and his husband, Antonio Griffin of Raeford, Dusty Star Johnson and her significant other, Ansol E. Graham Jr. of Seven Lakes, Derek Dwayne Locklear of Raeford, Ashley D. Locklear and his wife, Megan Locklear of Wagram, Winona Dawn Locklear of Raeford, Christian Dayne Locklear and his significant other, Danielle George of Raeford, Lisa Jacobs and her husband, Michael of Raeford; brothers, Gerald Locklear and his wife, Noami of Raeford, Ellis Locklear and his wife, Teresa of Raeford, Louis Locklear and his wife, Lori Ann of Raeford; his sisters, Sally Blue and her husband, Winford of Wagram, Edna Reyes of Raeford, Evon Usher of Red Springs; 25 grandchildren; and 6 great grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. on Tuesday, May 2, 2017 at Crumpler Funeral Home in Raeford.

The funeral will be at noon on Wednesday, May 3, 2017 at Crumpler Funeral Home with the Rev. Martin Jacobs officiating. Burial will be in the Locklear Family Cemetery in Wagram.

Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com

Betty C. Batchlor

Betty Batchelor, 86, of Red Springs, passed away peacefully on April 27, 2017 at FirstHealth Hospice House in Pinehurst, surrounded by her loving family.

Born on June 1, 1930 to the late Hector Fleet Currie and Annie McPhaul Currie, she was the youngest of six siblings. She graduated from the Hoke County public school system and attended Flora MacDonald College, where she attained a degree in bookkeeping in 1949. Soon after graduation, she joined Lewis McFayden at his business, the Red Springs Fuel Oil Company. It was here that Betty met a coworker and her future husband, Edward Keith Batchelor ("Eddie"). They were married in 1953, and established residency in Red Springs. They had four children and she continued her career at the Fuel Oil Company for over sixty years.

She cherished her family's growth and spiritual development at Antioch Presbyterian Church and Red Springs Presbyterian Church, where she served as both deacon and elder. She was recognized with a Lifetime Award by the Presbyterian Women of the Church. She also took pride in her involvement and work with the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), Dilettante Club, and Presbyterian Women's Circle. She enjoyed her professional work and especially her close relationship with the "boys" of the Fuel Oil Company, who meant so much to her and who she considered a part of her family. 

She was predeceased by her parents, husband, brothers, and and sisters. She is survived by her children Shauna Lovin (Tim), of Southern Pines, Keith Batchelor (Julie), of Raleigh, Currie Batchelor (Pam) of Ocean Isle Beach, and Susan Krebs (Rob) of Davidson; grandchildren Ryan Lovin (Swapna), Graham Lovin (Allison), Madelyn Krebs, Ian Krebs, Alexi Batchelor, Bruce Batchelor, and Jacob Yount.

The funeral will be held on  Saturday, April 29 at Red Springs Presbyterian Church at 3 p.m., with a visitation beforehand in the fellowship hall from 1-2:30 p.m. Interment will be at Antioch Presbyterian Church following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Red Springs Presbyterian Church, 115 North Vance Street, Red Springs, North Carolina 28377 or Antioch Presbyterian Church, 6583 Red Springs Road, Red Springs, North Carolina 28377.

 

 

Tommie L. Price

Tommie Lee Price of Raeford passed away Wednesday, April 26, 2017 at the age of 55. 
He was born August 16, 1961 in Kinston to the late Robert R. Price and Mildred Tillman Price. He was preceded in death by his brother, Dennis W. Price. 
He is survived by two sisters, Wanda K Thames (Ricky) of Fayetteville, and Glenda F. Edge (Doug) of Raeford; two nieces, April Swany (Travis) and Jessica Allen (Shawn); and two nephews, Joshua Price (Sara) Timothy Edge. 
A private memorial service will be held. 
Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com 

Henry W. Hicks Sr.

Henry Wayland Hicks Sr., 93, of Raeford, formerly of Candor, died Monday, April 24, 2017 at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst.

He was born on June 18, 1923 in the Onvil community of Montgomery County.  He was the first of four sons born to the late Henry Harrison Hicks and Ina Sedberry Hicks Craven.  His brothers, Calvin, Bill and Neil predeceased him as did his loving wife of 53 years, Mozelle Thompson Hicks.

He graduated from Troy High School in 1942 and before serving his country, was a welder in the Navy shipyards in Wilmington, North Carolina building Liberty ships.  He served his country as part of the World War II European Theater.  He served in the Army and was a member of the 83rd division, 330th infantry regiment, C Company – the Thunderbolts.  After suffering an injury, he was moved into the U.. Army Air Corps and was a part of the 464th Bomb Group.  He came back to Candor in 1946 and made his home there.  He married Mozelle in 1953 and they had two sons. He was a caring and loving father and an even more devoted husband. He had a love of farming and had a mechanical mind.  He worked with several different farmers in Moore and Montgomery counties for many years by helping with the planting, harvesting or building an engine or transmission in a tractor.

In recent years, he was more active in exploring his military past by reaching out to fellow Thunderbolts and traveling back to Europe.  He was able to reconnect with the Thunderbolts and participated in their annual reunion events across the country.  At the 2015 reunion, he, along with other surviving veterans, were awarded the French military’s highest honor, the National Order of the Legion of Honour and was knighted by the French government.  In 2012, he, along with his two sons, traveled across Europe and was able to visit some of the same areas and battlefields he had experienced as a young soldier 70 years prior.  Though he didn’t feel as if he deserved it, he received a hero’s welcome in many of the towns that they visited, including a parade and the honor of lowering our nation’s flag over the US Cemetery in Luxembourg.

He was proud of the town he lived in and was a pillar of the Candor community.  This was exemplified when he was named the Grand Marshal of the North Carolina Peach Festival parade in 2014.  He also volunteered at the Candor Fire Department for more than 25 years.  Together with Mozelle, they owned and operated the Candor Flower Shop for more than 33 years bringing the beauty of flowers to so many.  Since 1949, he has been a committed member of Candor Baptist Church, where he served as a Deacon, and was the oldest living member of the church until his passing.

He is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, Henry and Lydia Hicks of Raeford, and Billy and Rose Hicks, of Waukee, Iowa.  His grandchildren are Way Hicks and his wife, Andrea, of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, McKenzie Long and her husband, Jay, of Wilson, North Carolina,

Andrew Hicks and his girlfriend, Rachel Plummer of Dallas, Texas, and Alexis, Abigail, and Amelia Hicks of Waukee, Iowa.  Charlotte Ann Long and Aiden Kane Hicks are his great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his stepdaughter, Judith Marcum of Yuma, Arizona, his sister-in-law, Delores Hicks of La Porte, Texas, and his special friend, Mrs. Frances Pigford of Troy, North Carolina.  He leaves behind a host of loved ones, including the Thompson family, which made him one of their own even before he and Mozelle were married.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 27 at Briggs-Candor Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday, April 28 at Candor Baptist Church, with the Rev. Steve Jarman and Pastor John Baker officiating.  Burial will follow with military honors in Candor Cemetery.

Flowers accepted or memorials may be made to the Candor Baptist Church, PO Box 614, Candor NC  27229 or to the Candor Volunteer Fire Dept., PO Box 580, Candor NC  27229.

Online condolences may be made at www.briggsfuneralhome.com

Schandra G. McLeod

Schandra Gale McLeod, 47, of Raleigh, died suddenly Sunday, April 23, 2017 at the home of her parents.

She was a native of Raeford and is daughter of the Rev. Walter Emmett McLeod and Delois Leggett McLeod.

She was a 1988 graduate of Hoke High School and received a bachelor's degree from Bennett College and a master's degree in Psychology from N.C. Central University. She was a member of Zeta Phi Beta sorority.

She is survived by her parents; two daughters, Caroline Emily and Jaden McLeod; a sister, Chris McLeod; and two brothers, Steven and Gregory McLeod.

A viewing will be held Friday, April 29 at Doby's Funeral Home from 2-6 p.m.

The funeral will be held at 3:30 p.m. Apri9l 30, 2017 at Piney Grove M.B. Church, 798 Old Maxton Road, Raeford.

Burial will follow in McAllister Family Cemetery in Raeford.

Leonard W. Brock Jr.

Leonard William Brock Jr. of Raeford passed away Monday, April 24, 2017 at the age of 45. 
He was born May 01, 1971 in Pinehurst to Leonard William Brock Sr. and Betty Lisenby Brock. He was member of the Masonic Lodge. 
In addition to his parents, he is survived by a son Ethan Brock of Raeford; his former wife Donna Baker Brock of Raeford; a brother, Michael Brock of Dansville, Illinois; and 2 aunts, Sarah French (Keith) and Reva Riddle (Lewis, both of Oak Island.  
A visitation will be held 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, April 26, 2017 at Crumpler Funeral Home. 
The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 27, 2017 at Crumpler Funeral Home.  

Interment will be in the Raeford Cemetery. 
Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com 

Mary Katherine Watts

Mary Katherine Watts of Raeford passed away in her home on Tuesday, April 25, 2017 at the age of 51. 
She was born in Columbus County on June 22, 1965 to the late Levi Owen Watts and Mary Buckler Smith. She was a loving wife, mother, and friend. She was most at peace when she was with the ones she loved at the beach. 
She leaves behind her husband, Jack Allen Ellis, her sons, Jack Allen Ellis Jr., and Dustin Lee Ellis, all of Raeford; two brothers and a sister; and her best friend, Linda Kay. 
A visitation will be held on Thursday, April 27, 2017 from 7-9 p.m. at Crumpler Funeral Home in Raeford. 
A private family memorial service will be held at a later date. 
Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com