Jean Diehl

Jean McMahan Diehl, 60, died December 15 following a long and courageous battle with cancer.

She had retired recently as a senior printer and graphic artist with more than 30 years of service with the City of Fayetteville.

She is survived by her loving husband of 31 years Art Diehl, formerly of Raeford; Mark McMahan, and Gia of Fayetteville, Carolyn Dolan of Overland Park, Kansas, Harry and Darlene Diehl of Charlotte, Charlie, Jennifer, and Sam Diehl of Raleigh, Bob and Anne Little of New Bern, Debbie Little of Glendale, Colorado, Susan, Jeff, and Benjamin Finke of Denver, Colorado, David and Judy Bowen, Sr. of Fayetteville, David Bowen, Jr. of Matthews, Chris Bowen of Lake City, FL, Sandy Thrash of Fayetteville, and Janet Jones of Fayetteville.

A Celebration of Life event will be scheduled in January.

Arthur L. Ray

Elder Arthur Leroy Ray, 89, of Winecoff School Road, Concord, died Thursday, December 12, 2019 at the Tucker Hospice House.

He was born April 30, 1930 in Raeford, son of the late John Richard Ray and the late Maddie Handon Ray. He was educated in the Hoke County schools and attended Upchurch High School.  He was the owner and operator of a dry cleaners. He was a former member of Greater St. Paul of Brooklyn, New York and St. James United Church of God in Raeford, where he had served as chairman of the Deacon Board, superintendent of the Sunday School, choir president, and church counsel. He most recently attended New Life Baptist Church in Concord.

Services will be held Friday, December 20, 2019 at New Life Baptist Church, Concord.  Visitation will be 9-9:30 a.m. with the funeral at 9:30 a.m. Burial will follow at Highland Biblical Gardens in Raeford.

Survivors are one son, Arthur D. Ray (Linda) of Concord; three grandchildren, Deshara Ray, Ursula Ray and Lincoln Collins; and great-grandchildren, Javian Knight, and Makayla Aydelotte.

Clark Funeral Home, Inc. is serving the family.

Bruce Phillips

Bruce Phillips, 85, former sports editor of The Raleigh Times, died peacefully on December 8, 2019 after many years of declining health. He was born March 7, 1934 in Rockingham to William Cecil and Nancy Davis Phillips and attended high school in Raeford, where he lettered in three sports. He went on to further his education at ECU where he was active in many areas of student life. He was always a Pirate at heart. He began his career in sports reporting with the Raleigh Times which spanned 35 years. He was greatly respected by his readers and colleagues. He was a fun-loving, charismatic entertainer who loved to dance, play golf, go to the beach, watch sports and be around people. His laugh was infectious and he was smiling until the very end. 

He was predeceased by his parents, a brother, Bill and niece, Brooke.

He is survived by his daughters Robin Phillips and Rhonda Neely (Mike) and son Russ Phillips (Fran), brother Larry Phillips (Martha Alice), nephew Brad Phillips (Meredith), nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild with another on the way and his angel on earth Charlye Phillips, who tirelessly and faithfully visited and supported him during his years at Hillcrest.  

 A visitation is planned for family to receive friends on Friday, December 27, 2019 at City Of Oaks Funeral Home from 2-3 pm with a brief informal celebration of life at 3 pm. Please feel free to wear your golf shirts as he would have loved it.

 

Leland Strother

Leland Dewey Strother of Raeford went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, December 14, 2019 at home, at the age of 65.
He was born in Moore County on April 21, 1954, to Robert Dewey Strother and Bessie Rorie Strother Parks. He was preceded in death by his sister, Angela Ray. He was a member of Raeford First Baptist Church where he served as deacon, a choir member and on other committees within the church. He and his wife are the owner and operator of Strother Land Surveying in Raeford. His hobbies were amateur radio operator, skydiving and flying skydivers and riding his Harley Davidson with his wife and the Patriot Guard. He was a retired volunteer firefighter with the Crestline, North Raeford and Pinehill Fire Departments where he was serving on the board of directors at the time of his death.  He also served on the Hoke County Board of Education for 12 years and as a past president of the North Carolina Society of Surveyors. Above all enjoyed spending time and traveling with his family.
He is survived by his wife, Judy Daniels Strother of Raeford; a daughter, Amy Strother Harvey and husband Larry of Raeford; a son Graham Dewey Strother and wife Ashley of Morehead City; three grandchildren, Lauren Elizabeth Harvey, Lillie Grace Harvey and Avery Lynn Strother; and a sister, Betty Jordan of Wilson.
Visitation will be held 1 - 1:50 p.m. on Tuesday, December 17, 2019 at Raeford First Baptist Church
The funeral will follow at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Tom Lee and The Rev. Sandy Yow officiating. Burial will be in the Ashley Heights Baptist Church Cemetery. After the service at the cemetery, please join the family at the Strother home.
Memorials may be made to: Cape Fear Chapter of the North Carolina Society of Surveyors, C/O Mike Adams Chapter President of Cape Fear Chapter of NCSS, MAPS Surveying, 1401 Morganton Road, Fayetteville, NC 28305 or to First Baptist Church 333 North Main Street, Raeford, NC.
Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com

Roy Vanetten

Roy E. Vanetten 74 of Aberdeen departed this life Friday, December 13, 2019.  Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later.  Purcell Funeral Home & Cremation Services LLC. is serving the family.  

Hulane R. Blue

Hulane Russell Blue, 73, of Raeford, died Tuesday, December 10, 2019. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later. Services are entrusted to Purcell Funeral Home of Laurinburg.

Sonja "Jackie" Carte

Sonja "Jackie" Ann Carte (Lindsley) of Raeford died Sunday, December 8, 2019 in the comfort of her daughter's home at the age of 81. She was born on September 22, 1938 to Louis F. Lindsley and Frances Huffman Lindsley. 
She loved cooking, bowling, playing poker, and spending time with her family and friends at the family cabin, but most of all she loved her grandchildren. She could always tell a joke to make others laugh. 
She was preceded in death by her husband, Woodson K. Carte, her daughter, Judith M. Frantz, her son Sean P. Lindsley, her granddaughter Gabrielle Brown, her brothers, Jude Lindsley, David Lindsley, her sister Barbara Orshoski, her nephews, Michael Orshoski, Russell Lindsley and one great-nephew Tyler Zahel.

She is survived by her son Mark Johnson and wife Sheila of Malakoff, Texas; three daughters, Tonja Cooksey  and husband Paul of Norwalk, Ohio, Parrish Davis and husband Cliff of Raeford, and Samantha Smith and husband Neal of Southern Pines; 12 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; two brothers, Louise F. Lindsley Jr. and wife Darla of Rowlett, Texas, and Kevin Lindsley and wife 
Mary Ann of Castalia, Ohio; and her sister, Frances Renee Butler and husband David of Sandusky, Ohio.
She wished to be cremated and to have no services, but to be remembered as she was.
In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to Scotland Regional Hospice, P.O. Box 1033, Laurinburg, NC 28353 or your local hospice.
Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com

Samuel C. Colón

Samuel Caban Colón, 85, of Raeford, died peacefully at his home on December 4th, 2019. He was born in Anasco, Puerto Rico, the youngest of 18 children. At an early age, he enlisted in the Army and trained at Fort Dix, New Jersey and was stationed in Panama. After his military service, he married Carmen Gloria Molina. They resided in New Jersey, where they raised five children. For 26 years, he was Safety Quality Assurance Foreman at S.B. Penick Company. He later retired from Fisher Scientific.
He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 60 years, Carmen Gloria. He is survived by his children, Pastor Carmen Colón-Brown, Marisol Scales, Angelina Drake, Samuel Colón, Jr. and Elizabeth Colón-Alves; his eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held at Crumpler Funeral Home in Raeford December 6, 2019 from 7-9 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 2 p.m. at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church on Saturday December 7th, 2019. 
Burial will be in the Raeford Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to:
Parkinson's Foundation
200 SE 1st Street
Suite 800
Miami, FL 33131
Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com

Eva Hrapchak

Eva Mae Jackson Hrapchak, 85,  died November 28, 2019 in Eustis, Florida. 

She was born on October 26, 1934 in Raeford. She often reminisced about growing up on the farm with her eight brothers and sisters. She married Bill Hrapchak and together they had one daughter, Cindy. After retirement from her career in banking, she enjoyed spending her time with her family in North Carolina and Florida. 

She is predeceased by her daughter, Cindy Hughes and husband Bill Hrapchak. She is survived by her brother, Jerry Jackson of Raeford; sisters Sarah Blake of Okeechobee, Florida, Mary Ellen Smith (Neil) of Pinehurst, Shirley Williamson (Bobby) of Florence, South Carolina, and Helen Louise Humphrey of Aberdeen; three grandchildren, Shannon Kimminau of Olympia, Washington, Mark Hughes (Michelle) of Eustis, Florida, and Jimmy Cross of Tampa, Florida; four great-grandchildren, Kiersten Kimmimau and Mark, Matt, and Mike Hughes; and son-In-Law Jim Cross(Val) of Tampa. 

Services will be held at the Harden/Pauli Funeral Home Chapel in Eustis on Thursday, December 5, 2019 at 1 p.m. The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. until service time. Online guestbook available at www.hardenpauli.com 

Robert V. Dennis

Staff Sergeant Robert Virgil Dennis, U.S. Army retired, died Saturday, November 30, 2019
in his home at the age of 73.
He was born on January 24, 1946 in Howell, Michigan to Virgil Thomas Dennis and Margaret Mary Rasegan Dennis. He retired from the US Army and was a member of the VFW Post 10 in Raeford.
He is survived by his wife, Christine Orth Dennis of Raeford; three sons, Michael Dennis and wife Michelle of Montgomery, Alabama, Eric Dennis and wife Dezirae of Raeford and Markus Dennis and wife Kristina of St. Pauls; a daughter, Mary Dennis Hunt and husband Donald of Shannon; his grandchildren, Clemens, Katherine, Sarah, Morgan, Mason, Mackenzie, Elizabeth, Barbara, Zachary, Eimi and Paislee; and two great-grandchildren, Raylen and Leo.
Visitation will be7-9 p.m. Tuesday, December 3, 2019 at Crumpler Funeral Home, 131 Harris Ave. Raeford. 
A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, December 4, 2019 with full military honors in the Sandhills State Veteran' s Cemetery. 8220 Bragg Blvd, Spring Lake.
Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com

Pierce N. Hawley

Pierce Nelson Hawley of Rockfish died Monday, November 18, 2019 at FirstHealth Hospice House in Pinehurst at the age of 92.
He was born on June 30, 1927 in Maysville, Kentucky to Harry and Marie Hawley. He served with the U.S. Air Force during WWII. He was a member of the Rockfish Church of God. He was the owner Rockfish Auto and Storage Building in Rockfish.
He was preceded in death by his siblings, Harry Hawley Jr., Gordon (Duke) Hawley, and Jewel Jefferson. 
He was survived by his wife of 49 years, Nina M. Hawley of Rockfish; two daughters, Gwenann Vanover and husband Wes, and Lisa Marie Hawley all of Dayton, Ohio; two sons, Randall Kevin Hawley and wife Carolyn of Dayton, and Doug Browning and wife Marianne of Raeford; one grandson, R.J. Hawley of Dayton; two great-grandsons, Adian and Jackson Hawley of Dayton; a brother, General Douglas Hawley (Shirley) of Florida; and two sisters, Audrey B. Wilson of Maysville, Kentucky and G.G. Benson and husband Paul of Lexington Kentucky

A memorial service will be held Sunday, November 24, 2019 at 2:30 p.m. at Rockfish Church of God, 7869 Rockfish Road, Raeford, NC 28376
The family will receive friend after the service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to: FirstHealth Hospice Foundation, 150 Applecross Road, Pinehurst, NC 28374
Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com

Tim Zeigler

Tim Zeigler of Carydied Thursday, November 14, 2019 at the age of 36.

He was born in Charlotte on Feb. 6, 1983. He graduated from Jack Britt High School in 2001.
Tim was an avid animal lover. He enjoyed spending time with his friends watching the Carolina Panthers, and N.C. State football games. He also loved to play hockey and soccer on Ft. Bragg.

He is survived by his parents, Bob and Sue Zeigler of Raeford; a sister, Cindy Knezek and husband Ross of Atlanta, Georgia; his companion Francine Fronius of Raleigh; and his two dogs D.J. and London. 

A Celebration of life memorial service will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, November 23, 2019 at Crumpler Funeral Home Chapel in Raeford

The family will receive friends at the home on Bob and Sue Zeigler, 116 Yates Mill Street, Raeford after the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Fayetteville Animal Protections Society (FAPS) 3927 Bragg Blvd. Fayetteville, NC 28303.

Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com

Barbara M.Gillis

Barbara Miller Gillis of Cumberland County died Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2019 in her home at the age of 84.
She was born in Cumberland County on December 5, 1934, the daughter of the late Alton Lennon Miller Sr. and Elizabeth Atkinson Miller. She was a member of Galatia Presbyterian Church where she served on the historical committee, as president and lifetime member of the Women of the Church and as a Sunday School teacher. She was an officer of the Cumberland County Historical Society, Cumberland County Genealogical Society and also Historic Fayetteville Foundation.
She is survived by her husband of 69 years, 5 months and 2 days, John D. Gillis Sr. of Cumberland County, daughter Kathryn Gillis Miller and husband Douglas of Hoke County, son John D. Gillis II and wife Rena of Cumberland County, daughter Elizabeth (Beth) Gillis Willis and husband David of Hoke County, son David Miller Gillis and wife Sue of Cumberland County; two grandchildren, William John Gillis and wife Hannah and Andrew David Gillis and wife Marieke; seven grea-grandchildren, Anna Gillis, Margaret Gillis, Katherine Gillis, Rebecca Gillis, Lillian Gillis, Jacob Gillis and Gideon Gillis; and a brother, Alton Lennon Miller Jr. of Sumter, South Carolina.
Visitation will be held 1-2 p.m. Friday, November 15, 2019 at Galatia Presbyterian Church fellowship hall and at other times at the home.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, November 15, 2019 at Galatia Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Brett Johnson officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Memorials may be made to; Galatia Presbyterian Church, Parking Lot Fund, 8800 Galatia Church Road, Fayetteville, NC 28304