James Kersey

James Evans Kersey of St. Pauls passed away peacefully at his home on June 14, 2017 at the age of 78. 
He was born August 6, 1938 in Robeson County to the late Jessie Kersey and Leatha Jackson Kersey. He is also preceded in death by his wife Mary Elizabeth Kersey. 
He is survived by a stepson Jim Willis (Patsy) of Raeford; a nephew, David McMahon of St. Pauls; two grandchildren, Chad Willis (Shalena) and Jeremy Willis ( Arrianna); eight great-grandchildren; two brothers, Donnie Kersey (Nokia) of Parkton and Tommie Kersey (Mary) of Tolarsville; and a sister, Lula Jean Grover of Fayetteville. 
A visitation will be held 6-8 p.m. Friday, June 16, 2017 at Crumpler Funeral Home 131 Harris Ave. Raeford.
A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 17, 2017 at Oak Ridge Cemetery in St. Pauls. 
Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com 

Glenn Chavis

Glenn Chavis of Raeford, passed away at his home, Saturday, June 10, 2017 at the age of 70. 
He was born December 1, 1946 in Hoke County. 
He is preceded in death by his father Leo Chavis and his brother Robert Saunders. He was an avid hunter and hunted with his best friend Pop Revels. He loved fishing with his brother Robin Chavis. He was employed with Aberdeen Rockfish Railroad for 33 years before he retired. 
He is survived by his wife of 45 years Joy Chavis of Raeford; two daughters, Melissa Chavis and Amy Chavis, both of Raeford; a son, Marshall "Rascal" Chavis II and his wife Wyann of Raeford; his mother, Charity "Ninny" Chavis of Antioch; seven grandchildren, Justin, Laurie, John, Isaiah, Jeffrey, Benjamin, and Marshall; two great-grandchildren, Juelz and Lacoda; three brothers, Dinny Chavis of Antioch, Robin Chavis (Kenya) of Red Springs, and Timmy Chavis of Taylorsville; a sister, Tammy Chavis of Red Springs; and several nieces and nephews. 
A memorial service was held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 13, 2017 at Crumpler Funeral Home 131 Harris Ave. Raeford, NC. 
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the local VFW Post 10 c/o George Balch 4204 Philippi Church Road, Raeford, NC 28376. 
Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com 

Benson Blackwell

Benson Blackwell of Fayetteville passed away on Saturday, June 10, 2017 in his home at the age of 68. 
He was born in Bladen County on September 3, 1948, to the late Vernon and Sadie Blackwell. He loved racing, hunting and fishing. 
He was preceded in death by his siblings, Virginia Phillips, Mary Ward, and Christine Canady. 
Survivors are two sons, Timothy J. Blackwell and his wife Melissa of Gray's Creek, and Christopher M. Blackwell and his wife Renee of Gray's Creek; three grandchildren, Zachary Blackwell, Chase Blackwell and Clay Blackwell; two brothers, Frank Blackwell and his wife Alice of Hope Mills and Vernon Neal Blackwell of Elizabethtown; two sisters, Austine Phillips of Fayetteville and Louise Martin and her husband Jimmy of Lumberton, and several nieces and nephews. 
Visitation will be held 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, June 14, 2017 at Crumpler Funeral Home, 131 Harris Ave. Raeford. 
A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 15, 2017 at Fayetteville Memorial Cemetery with Pastor Thomas Tatum officiating. 
Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com. 

Agnes Bundy

 Agnes Peterson Bundy of Fayetteville passed away June 8, 2017 at Kitty Askins Hospice Center in Goldsboro at the age of 85.
She was born November 6, 1931 in Hoke County to the late Archie and Mary Peterson.
She was a member of LaFayette Baptist Church since 1962. She was employed with the City of Fayetteville from 1964 until she retired in 2006. She enjoyed going to the mountains and fishing at the beach with her family
She is preceded in death by her husband Edward James Bundy, and her daughter Susan Pickett.
She is survived by her daughter Deborah Atkins and her husband Paul of Fayetteville, 7 grandchildren, Donnie Noe, Paul Atkins, Jr., Deanna Gardner and her husband James, Angela Roach and her husband Jon, Gina Brock and her fiancé Levern, Heather Maccy, Richard Pickett, Jr., 8 great-grandchildren, Alyssa Victor, Alayna, Ashley, Victoria, Madison, Catherine, Maxximus, several nieces and nephews and her special cat Charlie.
A visitation will be held 6-8 pm Tuesday, June 13, 2017at Crumpler Funeral Home 131 Harris Ave. Raeford.
The funeral will be held 2 pm Wednesday, June 14, 2017 at LaFayette Baptist Church 501 Hope Mills Rd., Fayetteville, with Dr. Ron Hinson officiating. Interment will be in the Raeford Cemetery.
Memorials in Mrs. Bundy's honor may be made to LaFayette Baptist Church 501 Hope Mills Road Fayetteville, NC 28304 the American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society.
Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com 

Wanda Lupo

Wanda Wilkes Lupo of Raeford, passed away Thursday, June 8, 2017 at the age of 63.
She was born April 29, 1954 in Hoke County to the J.D. and Hester Wilkes.
She is survived by a son Jerry Lupo (Suzanne) of Mooresville,  a daughter Pamela E. Hockensmith (Marc) of Hope Mills,  a special friend Martha Furr (Michael) of Hope Mills, a brother Wayne Wilkes (Alice) of Fayetteville, 3 sisters, Kay Taylor (Ronnie) of Raeford, Mary Baxley of Raeford, and Agnes Creech (Dwight) of Los Vegas, Nevada, five grandchildren, Courtney, Adiyah, Grant, Breana and Cameron and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com 

Edgar M. Edge

Edgar Malcolm (Mac) Edge of Lumber Bridge, passed away Tuesday, June 6, 2017 at Lower Cape Fear Hospice in Bolivia at the age of 70. 
He was born June 30, 1946 in Hope Mills to the late J.P. Edge and Georgia Mae Edge. 
He served in the US Army. He was a member of the 101st and 82nd Airborne Division. He was a combat veteran of Vietnam and served 3 tours in Korea. Mr. Edge retired from the US Army as a SFC in 1986. He was also employed with the Hoke County Sheriff's Department. He loved to golf, fish and ride motorcycles. His dog Penny Sue was his best friend. 
He is preceded in death by his son Michael Ray Edge. 
He is survived by his wife of 53 years Candace Edge of Lumber Bridge, a daughter Michell S. Patterson (Robert) of Dothan Alabama; two sons, Timothy Edge (Billie Jean) of Fayetteville, and Andrew Edge (Amanda) of Lumber Bridge; three brothers, John Edge (Diane) of Raeford, Paul Edge (Connie) of Holden Beach, and Ralph Edge of Raeford; a sister, Eula Hall of Grays Creek; and five grandchildren, Jeffrey Brand, Timothy R. Edge, Lilah Edge, Eden Edge and Alia Brand. 
A visitation will be held 6-8 p.m. Monday, June 12, 2017 at Crumpler Funeral Home 131 Harris Ave. Raeford. 
A memorial graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. June 13, 2017 at Sandhill's State Veterans Cemetery in Spring Lake with full military honors. Family will receive friends after the service at the gravesite. 
Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com 

Eunice Gardner

Eunice Monroe Gardner, 89, passed away on Tuesday, June 6, 2017 at Moses Cone Memorial Hospital in Greensboro.

She was a bookkeeper at Hugh's Texaco in Raeford.

A graveside service was at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 8, 2017 at Caledonia United Methodist Church Cemetery in Laurinburg, officiated by the Rev. Linda Nelson. 

McDougald Funeral Home and Crematorium is serving the family.

Harriet Davis

Harriet Elizabeth Jones Davis, age 89, died Tuesday, June 6, 2017. 

She was born in Cary on August 12, 1927 to the late Roy Alton Jones and the late Lois Kerley Jones.  Her early years were spent in Ashley Heights and Raeford, graduating from Hoke County High School then attending Duke University and King's College.  She was a member of Calvary Moravian Church, very active as a trustee, president of the Senior Friends, and in the Stephens Ministry. She enjoyed many wonderful years with her special friend Glenn Ray at Calvary Moravian Church.  As a member of Knollwood Baptist Church, she was active in the choir with involvement for many years in the Winston-Salem Mozart Club production of the "Messiah."  She was president and very active in the Winston-Salem Association of Insurance Women, every year wrapping Christmas gifts at the mall.  After retiring from Integon Corp., she enjoyed travel with Glenn, her brothers and her "beach bums." She became a phenomenal landscape artist.  She moved to Raleigh in later years to be near her family.

She is survived by her son Ken Davis and his wife Whitney Alderson; daughter Amy White and her husband Phillip; grandchildren Ryan Davis and wife Ashlee, Tyler Davis and wife Irene, Alex Davis, Jamie Dean and husband Steve, Laurie Machowski and husband Steve; and great-grandchildren Jack, Ella, Ava, Teddy, Cameron, Megan, Austin, Taryn, Kaelen. She was preceded in death by her brothers Alton Jones, Robert Jones and Richard Jones and husband Jim Davis.

The funeral will be at 3 p.m. on Friday, June 9, 2017 at Calvary Moravian Church with the Rt. Rev. Lane Sapp officiating. The family will receive friends at the church at 2 p.m. prior to the service. Burial will follow at Salem Moravian Graveyard. 

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Calvary Moravian Church 600 Holly Avenue, Winston-Salem, NC 27101.  Online condolences may be sent to www.salemfh.com.  Arrangements are by Salem Funeral & Cremation Services. 

Iris B. Fowler

Iris Elizabeth (Burchett) Fowler of Raeford died Thursday, June 1, 2017 in the FirstHealth Hospice at the age of 54.

She was born in Germany on June 21, 1962 to the late Francis Dale Burchett and Eveline Groth Burchett.

She is survived by her son, Jerry Edgar Stephenson of Fayetteville and her two brothers, Karl and Hans Burchett, both of Parkton.

The funeral will be held at noon on Tuesday, June 6, 2017 at Crumpler Funeral Home Chapel in Raeford with Pastor Wayne Sanderson officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Ephesus Baptist Church Cemetery.

Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com

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