Ronald J. Chason

A memorial service to celebrate the life of Ronald "Ronnie" J. Chason will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 3, 2017 at the family cemetery on Chason Road in Hoke County.  He was born to Harold J. Chason and Leona McFadyen Chason on January 13, 1951, and died on December 13, 2016.

He was predeceased by his parents, his brother Harold A. Chason and sister Zelda C. Ayscue.  He is survived by his brother, J. Daniel "Danny" Chason and sisters, Peggy C. Smith of Raleigh, and Mary C. Shelton of Charlotte.

 In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made  to a charity of your choice.

Ruth Shoffner

Mattie Ruth Owens Shoffner, the daughter of the late Jerry Owens Sr. and the late Metres Ray Owens died Friday Morning, May 19, 2017 at her home in Sanfordat the age of 69 years.  She was born June 17, 1947 in Lee County Hospital. She retired from Coty in 2013. She was educated at Johnsonville High School and graduated in 1965.

Everyone knew and loved her for her sweet personality. She would always help everyone she met. She loved her great nephew Ahmeir, just like her own child and would do everything she could for him. That's the kind of person she was.

She joined and attended White Oak Missionary Baptist Church and served wherever she was needed until she married the Rev. Barry O. Shoffner of Buffalo Springs MB Church.

She was preceded in death by a sister, Willa O. Kelly, and three brothers, James C. Owens (J.C.), Roosevelt Owens and Jerry Owens Jr.

She is survived by her husband, the Rev. Barry O. Shoffner, of the home; two sons, Collins Owens of Raleigh and Corey Shoffner of the home; four sisters, Margaret O. Dixon (Paul) of St. Albans, New York, Doretha O. Nelson (Larry) of Broadway, and Minnie O. Judd (Carlester), and Cleo O. Bryant (Jessie), both of Sanford; two brothers, Isaiah Owens of Westfield Rehabilitation & Health Center, Sanford, and Ezekiel Owens (Annie) of Lillington; sisters- in-law, Carolyn Leath and Annette Easterling; and brother-in-law, Gary Easterling.

Visitation will be Monday May 22 from 5-7 p.m. at White Oak Missionary Baptist Church in Lillington. The funeral will be Tuesday, May 23 at 2 p.m at Victory Tabernacle in Lillington. Interment will follow at White Oak Missionary Baptist Church.

Lacy Koonce Jr.

Lacy Herman Koonce Jr., passed away peacefully at his home in Lumberton on Friday, May 19, 2017. 

He was born in Raeford in 1937, the son of the late Herman and Treva Koonce. He lived his entire life in North Carolina, from his childhood in Rockfish to later moving to Lumberton, where he made his home for over 50 years.

He graduated from North Carolina State University with a degree in Civil Engineering.  After several years working for the City of Raleigh, he moved to Lumberton to become its first City Engineer.

 In 1967, he founded Koonce, Noble & Associates, a civil engineering firm that has worked for nearly every municipality in Robeson County, as well as many others across the state. After five successful decades in business, the firm continues to serve North Carolina communities today.

He was an elder and deacon at the First Presbyterian Church in Lumberton and served in many local organizations, including the advisory board of First Bank. He was a strong supporter of his alma mater and was a local Wolfpack Club representative for over 30 years.

A baseball, basketball, and football star in his youth, he was also an avid hunter and fisherman for much of his life. From the beach to the Sandhills, he loved the outdoors of Southeastern North Carolina, especially the time that he spent there with his wife, sons, and their families.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Lillian Scarborough Koonce, of Lumberton; his sons, Lacy H. "Lance" Koonce III and his wife Lisa of Pelham, New York and Thomas C. Koonce and his wife Jeannette of Glen Echo, Maryland; his sister, Ellen Kate Parker of Fayetteville; and six beloved grandchildren, Emma, Colin, Nolan, Nellie, Andrew, and Caroline.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, May 22, 2017, at 2 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Lumberton. Afterwards, the family will welcome friends and relatives at their home to celebrate Lacy's life.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Lacy's memory to: 

-         Presbyterian Foundation of Lumberton, PO Box 1061, Lumberton, NC  28359-1061;

-         Wolfpack Club of NC State, PO Box 37100, Raleigh, NC 27627-7100 (checks made payable to NC State Student Aid Association); 

or

-         Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Office of Development, by mail at P.O. Box 27106, New York, NY 10087 or online at http://mskcc.convio.net/goto/LacyKoonc

Online condolences may be made by visiting: www.floydmortuary.net .

Jean Fish

Jean Constance Duncan Fish, 83 of Raeford passed away Thursday, May 18, 2017.

She was born in Spruce Pine on July 3, 1933 to the late Robert P. and Ruth L Putnam Duncan. She worked in various jobs in Spruce Pine, Greensboro, Syracuse, NY and Albany, GA. She worked in logistics with Civil Service in Albany, GA before retiring. She was very sweet, funny, had a great sense of humor, generous, kind, quick wit, independent, stubborn, and a ‟Tough Old Bird" that will be greatly missed by all who knew her. She was a member of the Raeford Methodist Church.

Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, George Frederick Fish; a sister, Beatrice Harrison; a brother,Wesley Duncan; and her son-in-law, Edward G. Brodey.

She is survived by her children, Deborah McNeely(David), Linda Brodey (Edward G. Brodey, deceased), Karen Burroughs (Scott), and George Fish Jr.; grandchildren, Dwayne Brodey Douglas Courter Jr., Lisa Broody Bartley, Duke Gordon, Leslie Courter, Jared Courter, Catrina Nakamoto, Jeremy Elliott, Jessica Fish, Eric Fish, Samantha Burroughs, and Tim Courter; great-grandchildren, Jordan Brodey, Claudia Bartley, Kaylee Taylor, Daniel Nakamoto, Kailen Roan, Natalie White, Hayden Fish, Destiny Elliott, Elle Jean Fish, Sarah Fish, and Jace Jerrett; a brother-in-law, Brad Fish (Dee); and sister-in-law, Donna Fish.

The funeral will be held Sunday, May 21, 2017 at 3 p.m. at Raeford United Methodist Church with the Rev. Brian Wingo officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. 

Interment will follow in Raeford Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Raeford United Methodist Church, 308 N. Main St. Raeford, NC 28376 or to the Parkison Foundation.

 

William "Bill" Jones

William Clarence (Bill) Jones of Raeford passed away on Wednesday, May 17, 2017 at the age of 71. 
He was born in Hoke County on March 9, 1946, to the late John Allen Jones and Willa Conoly Jones. He was preceded in death by six siblings. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War and retired from Progressive State Bank in Raeford 
He was survived by two sons, William Chad Jones of Wilmington, and Kenneth Cliff Jones of Raeford; two daughters, Jaclyn "J.J." Jones of Raeford and Lauren L. Jones of Raeford; five grandchildren, Conoly, Ireland, Parker, Payton and Pierson; and a sister, Catherine McNeill of Raeford.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, May 19, 2017 at the Crumpler Funeral Home Chapel, 131 Harris Ave. Raeford. The family will receive friends after the service at the funeral home.

Jean P. Powell

 Jean Paul Powell, 98, of Laurinburg, formerly of Clinton, passed away Tuesday, May 16, 2017 at Scotland Memorial Hospital. 
She was born October 4, 1918 in New Jersey to the late Robert and Mabel Paul. 
She is preceded in death by her husband Dr. Julius Benjamin Powell, DDS, a brother, Albert Paul and a sister, Ethel P. Sampson. 
She was a member of Graves Memorial Presbyterian Church in Clinton, and also associate member of Laurinburg Presbyterian Church. She attended Goucher College and graduated from Campbell University. She received her master's degree in English from Duke University. She retired as a teacher from Clinton High School and was named N.C. Teacher of the Year for the 1983/1984 school year. As Teacher of the Year, she proposed to the State Board of Education and the N.C. General Assembly the creation of the N.C. Center for the Advancement of Teaching, which has provided enrichment training for thousands of teachers. 
She is survived by three sons, Dr. John L. Powell (Caroline) of Wrightsville Beach; Dr. Robert N. Powell (Frances) of Elizabeth City, and Peter E. Powell (Martha) of Raleigh; her daughter, Jean E. Powell of Raeford; nine grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. 
A visitation will be held from 7-8 p.m. Friday, May 19, 2017 at Crumpler Funeral Home, 131 Harris Ave. Raeford. 
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 20, 2017 at Scotia Village, 2200 Elm Street, Laurinburg. 
A graveside service will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, May 20, 2017 at Clinton City Cemetery. The family will receive friends also after the service at the gravesite. 
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to NCCAT, 276 NCCAT Dr., Cullowhee, NC 28723, or www.nccat.org. 
Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com 

Alton "Ray" Burrow II

Alton "Ray" Burrow II, 42, of Raeford, passed away Thursday, May 11, 2017 at his home surrounded by his wife and children.

He was a heroic man, who led a blessed life. He was born September 27, 1974 in Robeson County to Alton and Barbara Burrow. He lived and loved life to the fullest. Along the way, he made lifelong friends from all walks of life. Throughout his life he accomplished much, but his greatest accomplishments are his three children, Zaidee, Ava, and Nathan, who will no doubt carry out his legacy. On the day of his cancer diagnosis, November 3, 2014, he made a commitment to himself and his family to "Fight Durty" and inspire others through his perseverance in this journey. He made his fight an open book for the world to see that no matter what trials and tribulations are faced, love always wins, and that through this, God's work was accomplished in him. Even on his toughest days, he managed to smile and make others laugh. His family remained his top priority. His love for his family fueled his determination to fight until the very end.

He is survived by his wife of 19 years, Christy Burrow; daughters, Zaidee and Ava Burrow; and son Nathan Burrow; parents Alton and Barbara Burrow; sister, Belinda Davis (Keith); five nieces, Jasmine Long (Tanner), Marley Long, Amber Walker, Brooke Billinger, and Josalyn Billinger; one nephew, Trey Long;  five great-nieces, Harper Long, Teagan Baith, R'rhianna Billinger, Miya Locklear, and Mila Locklear; two great-nephews, Jordyn Billinger, and Brodie Baith; and in-laws, Jerry and Kathy Long, Chris Long and Melissa Fraser, Casey Long, and Jonathan Fraser. He was preceded in death by his sister, Cindy Billinger.

The family will receive friends on Friday, May 19, 2017 at J.W. Turlington School, 116 W. Prospect Ave in Raeford from 6-9 p.m. 

The funeral will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 20, 2017 at J.W. Turlington School. Burial will be in the Shiloh Presbyterian Church Cemetery.

Online condolences may be made at crumplerfuneralhome.com.

Catherine E. Shanks

Catherine Elaine Shanks of Raeford, passed away May 1, 2017 at the age of 52. 

She was born July 23, 1964 in Onslow County to the late Thomas Alvin Shanks and Ruby Esperanza Esguerra Shanks. She was a homemaker. 

She is survived by a son Joseph Morse of Raeford; a daughter, Jennifer Shanks of Spring Lake; and three sisters, Lesia Wilson of Raeford, Alice Hildebrand of Kalkaska, Michigan, and Theresa Ardelean of Leonard, Michigan. 

A private service will be held later. 

Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com 

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