Gilbert Hoffmann

Gilbert Edwin Hoffmann of Raeford died Monday, March 21, 2022, at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital at age 87.
He was born in Jacksonville, Florida on April 13, 1934 to the late Karl George Hoffmann Sr. and Grace Haddock Hoffmann.
He served in the U.S. Navy and was an active member of the Community United Methodist Church where he loved bringing others to Christ. He was employed with Chevron until he retired and took over the family farm in Raeford. He enjoyed playing card games every week with his friends. He loved his family and was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.
He was preceded in death by his wife for over 50 years Marilyn Lewis Hoffmann, his son Gilbert Steven (Steve) Hoffmann, his brother Karl George Hoffmann Jr, and his companion Geraldine Black.
He is survived by his daughter, Pamela H. Henry, and her husband Terry of Rudy, Arkansas; a daughter-in-law, Jeanine Hoffmann of Louisville, Kentucky; seven grandchildren,
Visitation is 6-8 p.m. Monday, March 28, at Crumpler Funeral Home, Raeford.
A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 29, 2022, at Community Unity Methodist Church Cemetery 2999 Calloway Road, Raeford with the Rev. Donnie
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to: Community United Methodist Church, 2999 Calloway Road, Raeford, NC 28376

Jimmie Conoly

Jimmie Neil Conoly of Pinehurst, formerly of Raeford, died Tuesday, March 8, 2022, at FirstHealth Hospice House in Pinehurst at age 88.
He was born in Hoke County on May 30, 1933 to the late John Ed Conoly and Mable Lillian Chason Conoly. He retired from the US Air Force.
He was preceded in death by his sons, John Ed Conoly and Gary N. Conoly, a daughter Leah Conoly, two grandchildren, Garrett Conoly and Evan Russell, his siblings, and Edwin Conoly, Hazel Davis, Sarah Tucker, and Alene Ketchel.  

He is survived by his wife, Joanne H. Conoly of Pinehurst; a son, Kenneth J. Conoly (Kerry O'Neal) of Davidsonville, Maryland; a daughter, Vickie C. Russell and her husband Mike of Wilmington; a stepdaughter, Dina L. Robbins of Denver, Colorado; and three grandchildren, Damian Conoly, Rachel Conoly and Nicole Psomas and her husband Grant.
A memorial service will be held at a later date
Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com

Mary Davis

Mary Lee Howk Davis of Raeford died Tuesday, March 8, 2022, at FirstHealth Richmond Memorial Hospital in Rockingham at age 74.
She was born in Prince Edward County, Virginia on July 19, 1947, to the late Howard Howk and Minnie Campbell Howk. She was employed with Burlington Industries and Autumn Care of Raeford before she retired.
She is survied by her husband David A. Davis of Raeford; two daughters, Vicky Garner (James) of Raeford, and Evelyn Marie Wade (Larry) of Weatherford, Texas; a granddaughter, Megan Stone of Raeford; and a brother, Charles Howk of Hope Mills.
A private memorial service will be held later.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to:
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Crumpler Funeral Home of Raeford is serving the family.

Mildred B. Baker

Mildred B. Baker, 87, of Raeford died Monday, February 28, 2022. A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 5, 2022, at New Greater Solid Rock Church, Raeford. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. A viewing and visitation will be held from 3-6 p.m. Friday, March 4, 2022, at Purcell Funeral Home, Southern Pines. Services are entrusted to Purcell Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

Libby Brock

Minnie "Libby" Brock died Saturday, February 26, 2022 at Sampson Regional Medical Center.

She was born March 13, 1941 in Raeford. She lived in Stedman for 26 years until 1996 and then she moved to Autryville with her daughter, Mary and family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, David and Evelyn Davis, her husband, Harvey Allen Brock, brother, Larry Davis, son-in-law, James Ondrea Horne, and granddaughter, Amy Laylor Horne.

She is survived by her three daughters, Linda Brock Horne of Stedman, Judy Johnson and husband, Ronnie of Stedman, and Mary Williams and husband, Kim of Autryville; her son, David Brock and wife, Trina of Autryville; nine grandchildren, Landon Williams, DJ Brock, Lanea Brock, April Brock, Brock Johnson, Brandon Johnson, Heather Johnson, James Allen Horne and Mitchell Horne; 12 great-grandchildren; brother, Zander Davis and wife, Mary; five sisters, Shelby Simmons and husband, Archie; Carolyn Blanton and husband, Jack; Wanda Phillps and husband, Richard; Debbie Pittman and husband, Wade, all of Raeford; and Betty Eshbaugh and husband, Dennis of Bessemer City.

A graveside service will be held at 1p.m. on Wednesday, March 2, 2022 at Raeford Cemetery with the Rev, Ronnie Johnson officiating. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 1, 2022 at Butler Funeral Home in Stedman.

Arthur Baker

Arthur D. Baker of Raeford died February 28, 2022, at home with his family by his side. He was 81 years old.
He was born on August 13, 1940, to the late James Henry and Mattie Gibson Baker. He worked at JP Stevens/ Gulistan Carpet in Aberdeen for 25 years in management. He was a faithful member at Community United Methodist Church at Five Points in Raeford and held many offices in leadership and was church treasurer for more than 20 years. He was the youngest of 10 children in his family. He was in the Army Military Police, stationed in Germany. He loved his Lord and Savior, family, gardening and growing flowers. He met his Alzheimer's disease with humbleness and unwavering faith of God.
He is preceded in death by his brothers Roy, Neil, Jack, Jasper, Murray, and James Baker and sisters Hazel Baker and Mae Baker Hinton.
He is survived by his wife Nancy Jackson Baker of 52 years of the home; three daughters, Kristie Baker Shepherd (Scott) of Pinehurst, Renee' Baker Carpenter (Marty) of Raeford, and Nicole Baker Sutton (Eric) of Pinebluff; six grandchildren, Amelia Craven Morton (Nate) of Southern Pines, Kaitlyn Craven Oyler (Nick) of Vass, Lyla Craven of Pinehurst, Jaxon Carpenter of Raeford, and Rhys, and Reagan Sutton of Pinebluff; one great-grandchild, Beckett Morton of Southern Pines; friend, John Craven IV of Southern Pines; one sister, Carolyn Baker English of Raeford; and his beloved dog Sofia. 

Visitation will be 1-2 p.m. Saturday, March 5, 2022, at Crumpler Funeral Home, Raeford.
The funeral will follow at 2 p.m. in the Cchapel with the Rev, Ronnie Nicholas and Mike Walters officiating. Burial will be in the Community United Methodist Church Cemetery with full military honors. 

Karen Boahn

Karen Sue Boahn of 263 Little Lane Fayetteville, (Hoke County) died Friday, February 25, 2022, at age 74.
She was born in Middletown, Ohio on December 16, 1947, to Margaret Shortt of Raeford and the late Harold Shortt. She was preceded in death by her daughter Margaret Boahn.
Survivors are her husband Carl Clarence Boahn of Fayetteville, a son Matthew Boahn and his wife Jessica of Fayetteville.
A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 1, 2022, at Galatia Presbyterian Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends after the service at the cemetery and at other times at the home, 263 Little Lane, Fayetteville
Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com

Phyllis S. Jacobsen

 Phyllis Sadler Jacobsen of Raeford died Monday, February 21, 2022, at agef 69. 
She was born in Baltimore, Maryland on April 11, 1952, to the late Paul Sadler and Helen Holmes Batten. She was preceded in death by her brother Leroy Sadler. She was a member of Crystal Springs Chapel in Fayetteville, and retired from Cape Fear Valley Medical Center. She was a beloved wife, mother, and grandmother.
She is survived by her husband Chis Jacobsen of Raeford; a daughter, Tanya Smith and her husband Tommy of Parkton; three sons, William Tart and his wife Michelle of Raeford,   Jeremy Wood of Wendell, and Christopher Jacobsen and his wife Heather of Fayetteville; 10 grandchildren, BJ Wright, Timothy Smith, Tyler Tart, Taylor Smith, Hunter Smith, Isaac Vanhoose, Haley Jacobsen, Raelyn Tart, Connor Jacobsen, and Grace Jacobsen; a sister, Geraldine Kirk of Hope Mills; and a brother, James Earl Sadler of Clarksville, Tenn.
Visitation6-8 p.m. Saturday, February 26, 2022, at Crumpler Funeral Home, 131 Harris Avenue, Raeford, NC
The funeral will be at 3 p. m. on Sunday at Crystal Springs Chapel, 1465 Crystal Springs Road, Fayetteville, NC
Burial will be in the Raeford Cemetery. 
Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com

Thomas McPhaul

Thomas Douglas "Tommy" McPhaul Jr. of Shannon died at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst on Sunday, February 20, 2022, at age 74.
He was born in Robeson County on September 18, 1947, to the late Thomas Douglas McPhaul Sr. and Mary Dorothy (Dot) Watson McPhaul. He was a member of Antioch Presbyterian Church where he served the Lord faithfully. He loved working on his farm with all his animals.

He was preceded in death by his brother-in-law Tony Moon and his nephew Greg Moon.
He is survived by his twin sister, Virginia Gay Moon of Shannon, and her son Anthony Moon of Shannon, and his late nephew's Fiancée, Crystal Carpenter of Shannon.
Visitation 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, February 23, 2022, at Crumpler Funeral Home, Raeford.
A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, February 24, 2022, at Antioch Presbyterian Church Cemetery with Pastor Jim Smith officiating.
In Lieu of flowers memorials may be made to:
Antioch Presbyterian Church
6582 Red Springs Road
Red Springs, NC 
Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com

Kevin Nusser

Kevin Graham Nusser of Raeford passed away at his home on Thursday, February 17, 2022, at the age of 59.
He was born in East Liverpool, Ohio on March 10, 1962, to the late Larry Leo Nusser Sr. and Donna Jean Graham Nusser. He was preceded in death by his brother, Larry Nusser II. Kevin was a graduate of East Liverpool High School in 1980 and was a member of the Alumni Association. He had been employed with Central Electric Systems in Long Beach, CA
He is survived by a sister Barbara Chaney of East Liverpool, Ohio; two brothers, Kim Nusser of East Liverpool, Ohio; William (Billy) Pyle and his wife Luz of Raeford, NC; his nieces, Mandy Nusser, Morgan Chaney, Devon Backus, Beth Pyle, Amarilis Rodriguez, Sonia Dejesus, Maria Cason, Estefania Allen, and Kimberly Pyle, his nephews, Larry Nusser, III and, Jeremy Howell, a former brother-in-law Jim Chaney, a former sister-in-law Lynn Nusser.
A private memorial service will be held later.

Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com

Shirley Roman

Shirley Jean McKeithan Roman of Raeford died, surrounded by her family on Monday, February 14, 2022, at Open Arms Retirement Home at age 72.
She was born in Cumberland County on January 16, 1950, to the late Reverend George Duncan McKeithan Jr. and Doris Sessoms McKeithan. She was a member of the Raeford Evangelical Methodist Church. She served in the U.S. Air Force from 1968 until 1976 and retired from the Department of Correction in 1999.

She was preceded in death by her brother Al McKeithan.

She is survived by a daughter Tasha Roman Oldham and her husband Stephen of Raeford; two grandchildren, Christopher Roman Oldham and Jacob Stephen Oldham both of Raeford; and two sisters, Debbie Tripp of Kinston, and Faye Sadler and her husband Bud of Swansboro.
Visitation will be held 6-8 p.m. Thursday, February 17, 2022, at Crumpler Funeral Home, 131 Harris Ave. Raeford.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday at Hillcrest Baptist Church with Pastor Toby Neal officiating. Burial will follow in the Raeford Cemetery with full military honors.
In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice Foundation of Hoke County, 336 South Main Street, Raeford, NC
Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com

Ruth E. Locklear

Ruth Ellen Locklear of Pembroke died Wednesday, February 9, 2022, at Southeastern Regional Medical Center in Lumberton at the age of 77.
She was a sweet, caring, and loving lady.
She is survived by her brother Tony Miller, her nieces, Pam, Sheila, Melissa, and Kristie, and her cousins, Vivian Walker of Raeford, Linda Miller McNeill of Red Springs, and Beebie Miller Cummings of Lumberton. 
A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, February 11, 2022, at Reedy Branch Baptist Church Cemetery, 3047 East McDonald Road, Fairmont, with the Rev. Tony Miller officiating.  
The family will receive friends after the service at the gravesite.
Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com

Norma Connell

Norma Hardie Connell died peacefully at Hospice Haven in Rockingham on February 9, 2022, at the age of 88.
She was born on January 1, 1934, in Clover, Virginia to the late Henry Hardie and Arline Hardie. She was preceded in death by her first husband Carroll Wilburn (1972), her second husband Avery Connell (2011) and her brother Harvie Hardie. 

Shel was an active Raeford United Methodist Church and the Raeford Garden Club. She was a loving and devoted mother and wife and will be remembered for her generosity and kindness throughout the community.
She is survived by her son Steve Wilburn and his wife Shelley of Raeford, and her daughter Carolyn Felix and her husband Kevin of Poquoson, Virginia; three grandsons, Steven Kyle Wilburn of Raeford, and Connor and William Felix of Poquoson.
A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 12, 2022, at the Raeford Cemetery with the Rev. Joshua Eom officiating with visitation and lunch following at Wilburn Lofts Meeting and Events Center, 114 North Main Street, Raeford, NC 28376
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:
Raeford United Methodist Church, 308 North Main Street, Raeford, NC 28376 or to:
Hospice Haven of Richmond County, 1119 North Hwy 1, Rockingham, NC 28379.

Edward S. Thomas

Edward Samuel (Ed) Thomas of Raeford died Saturday, February 5, 2022 at Cape Fear Hoke Campus at age 71.
He retired from the US Army in the early '90s. 

He was preceded in death by his son Joseph (Bubba) Arwood.
He is survived by his wife, Joanna Thomas of Raeford; three daughters, Christy Arwood of Fayetteville, Cindy Manning of Fayetteville, and Jamie Kornahrens and her husband Reb of Durham; six grandchildren, Daniel Vazquez, Mia Manning, Kayden Dockery, and Josen Kornahrens; and two sisters.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com

Milton Lauchlin MacDonald

Milton Lauchlin "Locke" MacDonald, 91, died January 29, 2022 surrounded by his family at his home in Scotia Village in Laurinburg.

He was born March 29, 1930 to Kenneth Angus (K.A.)and Ruth MacDonald in Hope Mills, where he lived until age five, when his father became superintendent of Hoke County Schools, and the family moved to Raeford. He grew up in Raeford and attended Davidson College and served in the National Guard until the Korean War, when he and a buddy flipped a coin to decide whether both should join the U.S. Navy or the U.S. Army. The Navy won, and he worked in the weather service, stationed in Panama, where he met the recently widowed Charlotte Ewald Miles. After her father-in-law, an admiral, packed him off on a plane to a new duty station in Norfolk, he nonetheless persisted in a courtship that ultimately led to a 50-year marriage and four children. In the meantime, he returned to Davidson and completed his degree. The couple moved back to Raeford, where he worked at Burlington Industries as planning manager. Later, while working as a land surveyor and a drafting teacher at Hoke High School, he earned a master's degree in school administration. He became assistant principal, then principal of Hoke High. He was a keeper of history—his family's, his church's and the community's. He loved research and published two books, wrote articles and kept records over the course of decades. After Charlotte died in 2007, he married Betty Herring, and the two of them moved to Scotia Village, where she died in 2020. He had a lifelong love of gardening, and at Scotia Village, he took over the work of a former resident and turned the gardens into a showplace of giant elephant ears, thousands of flowers, and rock-lined paths. He was happy to find fellow bridge enthusiasts in his many friends at Scotia. Always ready for an adventure, in 2018, he and his children visited Panama to retrace the steps of his romance with their mother. In 2019, they traveled to Scotland and stood together at the spot where their ancestors embarked for America. He was elder emeritus at Raeford Presbyterian Church where he attended and served most of his life. He was upright, respectful of all, and known for his humor.

He is survived by four children, Ken MacDonald and his wife Holly of Southern Pines, John MacDonald and his wife Kathy of Winston Salem, Anne MacDonald of Raeford, and Alan MacDonald of Weaverville; grandchildren, Ben MacDonald, Leighanne Beidleman, John MacDonald, Katie Myer, Joey D'Annunzio, John D'Annunzio, Charlotte Samuelson, James MacDonald, Samuel MacDonald and Daniel MacDonald; great-grandchildren, Hollyanne, Kenneth, Annalise, Lincoln, Grant, Addison, Aidan, Ender, Archer, and Blue; and a sister, Katherine Ingram and her husband Jim of Fishers Island, New York.

A graveside service will be held Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Raeford Cemetery with Dr. Maureen Paterson officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to Raeford Presbyterian Church, The Raeford-Hoke Museum or Liberty Hospice, Raeford.