Catherine Brock

Catherine Brock, age 66, of Rockfish, passed away on Saturday, July 13, 2019 at her home.
She was born on March 6, 1953. She was preceded in death by her parents Ralph Lee Strother and Lois Autry Guin, and her brother Edward Strother. She was a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church where she loved working with the babies and children of the church.
She is survived by her husband, Jessie L (Scoot). Brock Jr. of Raeford; a daughter, Tina Short and husband Eric of Apex; a son, Heath Brock and wife Haven of Monroe; 5 grandchildren; and a brother, Dennis Strother and wife Cindy of Raeford.
Visitation will be held on Monday, July 15, 2019 from 1- 1:45 p.m. at Tabernacle Baptist Church, 3219 Lindsay Road, Raeford.
The funeral will be at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Tommy Underwood, thx Rev. Jimmy Dees and the Rev. Mike Osment. officiating.
Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com

Clyde McInnis Jr.

Clyde McInnis Jr., formerly of Raeford, died peacefully on May 7, 2019, in Stuart, Florida. He was 80 years old. He was born on July 7, 1938, in Miami to Clyde McInnis Sr. and Jeanne Lentz. He was commonly referred to as "Butch."  He always lived life strictly on his terms, which at times made for an interesting experience for his friends and family who loved him through thick and thin.  He especially enjoyed traveling, (many RV trips), was the life of the party, always liked a good debate, (sometimes intentionally provoking their start), was never shy in sharing his opinion, and until a few years ago, loved a good game of golf. His family meant the world to him.  After four years in the United States Air Force, stationed in Alaska, he returned home where he became a manager for Food Fair.  He then opened his own cleaning business, and  operated two produce stands in Miami Beach.  He later managed National Tire in Cutler Ridge, FL.  In 1992 he moved to Brooksville, FL, where he was affiliated with the Dunes Golf and Country Club.  After retirement, he moved to Stuart, FL. He was preceded in death by two brothers, John Patterson and William (Billy) McInnis. He is survived by his latest wife Judith Kalezis McInnis; his brother, Bruce McInnis; half-brother, Steve McInnis and their families; two sons, Charles "Mitch" McInnis (wife Mary and children Dane, Derrick Gaydos and Briana Gaydos), and Sean McInnis (wife Arelys and children Melanie, William, Elizabeth); and a daughter, Katherine "Kathy" Harrison, her husband Christian and children, Nicole Frick (husband Brad and daughter Kinsley), Janna Messmann (husband Jeffery), Natalie Armstrong, Leah Harrison, and Lisa Armstrong. He will be cremated, and a memorial will take place at the 92nd annual McInnis Family Reunion on July 20, 2019, at 1 p.m. at Dundarrach Community Church, Raeford, directed by Crumpler Funeral Home in Raeford. In lieu of flowers, send donations to: Dundarrach Community Church 5497 St. Paul's Road Shannon, NC 28386

Larry D. Saunders

Larry Drake Saunders, 64, formerly of Hoke county, died June 23 in his home in Ripley, West Virginia.
He was preceded in death by his parents Albert and Dorothy Saunders, a brother, Kenneth Saunders, and in-laws, Charles and Sarah Shumway.
He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Carla (Shumway) Saunders; his children, Eric Saunders of Southport, and Matthew (Miranda) Saunders of Evans, West Virginia; daughters, Kari Saunders of Ripley, West Virginia, and Megan (Brandon) Board of Fraizer Bottom, West Virginia; two grandchildren, Rowan Scott Kay and Ily Marie Saunders; his brother, Gene (Donna) Saunders of Holden Beach; and sisters, Rhonda Hodge of Raeford, and Patricia (Kenneth) Byrd of Boiling Springs.
In keeping with his wishes, he was an organ donor.
The funeral was held June 27, 2019 at Waybright Funeral Home in Ripley, West Virginia. Burial was in Pine Hill Cemetery in Ripley.

Sheila Black

Mary Sheila Black of Raeford died at her home on Saturday, July 6, 2019 at the age of 61.
She was born in Cumberland County on August 15, 1957. She was preceded in death by her father, John D. Black.  She was a member of Sandy Grove United Methodist Church. She graduated from The University of North Carolina at Pembroke. She was the office manager of The News-Journal before retirement.
She is survived b y her mother, Mary Smith Balch and husband George of Raeford; two brothers, Randy Black and wife Kathy and Jeffrey S. Black all of Raeford; two sisters, Beth Black of Fayetteville, and Amy B. Miller and husband Tommy of Raeford.
A visitation will be held from 2-3 p.m. Tuesday, July 9, 2019 at the Sandy Grove United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 6800 Arabia Road, Lumber Bridge, NC.
A memorial service will follow at 3 p.m. in the church.
Memorials may be made to: FirstHealth Hospice Foundation 
150 Applecross Road
Pinehurst, NC 28374
Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com

Rhonda Hester

Rhonda Taylor Hester of Fayetteville, formerly of Raeford, passed away at her home on Thursday, July 4, 2019 at the age of 71.
She was born on December 10, 1947, to Johnny C. Taylor and Louise Penny Taylor. She was preceded in death by her sister Joan Louise Taylor. She was employed with Black & Decker in Fayetteville before she retired.
Survivors are her husband, Gene Hester of Fayetteville; a son Kelly Galloway and wife Dawn of Clayton; a daughter Teresa Galloway of Fayetteville; a step daughter, DeAnn Hodges and husband Tommie of Fayetteville; two step sons, Brent Hester and Brian Hester of Hope Mills; her grandchildren, Derrick, Justin, Megan and Ryan; 4 great grandchildren Tyler, Taylor, Tinley and Colton; numerous step grandchildren; her sister, Joan Sanders and husband Herman of Raeford; and her brother, Johnnie Taylor of Hickory.
Visitation will be held from 12:00 until 1:00 pm on Wednesday July 10, 2019 at Celebration of Praise Church of God with Pastor Jerry Edge and Darrell Goins officiating. 
The funeral will follow at 1:00 pm at the Church.
Entombment will be in the Cumberland Memorial Gardens
Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com

Lula Mae Ray

Lula Mae Ray 73, of Raeford, died Friday, June 28, 2019. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. on Friday, July 5, 2019, at Oakhill Missionary Baptist Church in Wagram. Burial will follow at New Bethel Church Cemetery in Wagram. Viewing and visitation are1-2 p.m. Friday, July 5, 2019 (1 hour prior to service) at the church. Services are entrusted to Purcell Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Laurinburg.

Donald J. Taylor

Donald Joseph Taylor (SGM Ret.) of Raeford died at his home on Thursday, June 27, 2019 at the age of 77.
Hewas born in New Mexico on April 1, 1942. He started his military career with the US Marines than proudly served in the United States Army and was assigned to the 7th Group Special Forces. He was employed with DEA before he retired after 24 years of service.
He is survived by his wife, Nhung Thi Taylor; a son, Michael Taylor and wife Lynne; a daughter, Carolyn Taylor; and two grandchildren, Nathan Taylor and Emily Taylor.
Visitation will be held from 7-9 p.m. on Monday, July 1, 2019 at Crumpler Funeral Home in Raeford.
A graveside service will be held last 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 2, 2019 at Sandhills State Veteran's Cemetery with full military honors.
Online condolences may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com

Lula Mae Ray

Lula Mae Ray 73, of Raeford, passed away Friday, June 28, 2019. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced at a later time.  Purcell Funeral Home of Laurinburg is serving the family.  

Condolenses can be made at purcellfuneralhomes.com

Donnie Smith

Donnie Smith Jr. of Raeford died Wednesday, June 26, 2019 at his home.
He was born in Horry County, South Carolina on April 29, 1942, to Donnie Smith Sr. and Addie Belle Brown Smith. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Leroy Smith, Daniel Smith and Henry Smith.
He was employed with Burlington Industries before he retired, and was a lifetime member of the Cumberland County Amateur Radio Operators. His hobby was spending time with his honeybees at the Smith Bee Farm.
He is survived by his wife Carolyn T. Smith of Raeford; two daughters, Lisa Turner and husband Jeff of Kings Mt,  and Diane Lucas and husband Donald of Raeford; a son, William "Steve" Smith of Fayetteville; two grandchildren, GiGi Baxley, and Chance Turner; six step-grandchildren,  Jr. Lucas, Kimberly Lucas, Amanda Henderson, Crystal Walters and Amanda Wheeler; two great-grandchildren, Madison and Skylar; a step great-grandson, Gabriel; a brother, Wayne Smith of Vass; three sisters, Elneta Jones of Conway, South Carolina, Naimless Martin of Sumter, South Carolina, and Annie Belle Pittman of Raeford; and his four-legged daughters, "Girl" and Kitty Cat.
A private memorial services will be held later.
Condolences to the family may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com 

James Beck

James Robert Beck of Lexington died Tuesday, June 25, 2019 at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem.
He was born in Pinehurst on June 30, 1980. He was preceded in death by mother, Vicki Beck.
He is survived by his father, Kenneth Back of Lexington; two brothers, Michael Beck and Tristan Beck, both of Lexington; his maternal grandparents, Jimmy and Shelva Riley of Raeford; and four cousins, Aaron Beck, Brook Beck Noah Beck and Josh Beck. 
Visitation will be held from 1 until 2 pm Thursday, June 27, 2019 at Crumpler Funeral Home in Raeford.
A graveside will be held 2:00 pm Thursday at the Raeford Cemetery.
Condolences to the family may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com

Ina Howell

Ina Rebecca Howell (Becky) died on June 18, 2019, at her home in Ellerbe, where she was born on December 6, 1923.

She was a proud 1944 graduate of Salem College with a B.A. in English and French . She received her M.A. Degree in English from UNC, Chapel Hill in 1945. After teaching at Piedmont Junior High School in Charlotte (1946-48) and Maxton High School (1948-50), she returned to the Howell family home in Ellerbe, the place she loved. She taught English at Rockingham High School for 20 years and then at Richmond Senior High School for six, retiring in 1978.

Becky joined Ellerbe Methodist Church when she was 10 years old. She played the church piano and organ for about 66 years, directed the choir for about 38 years, taught Sunday School, served on the Administrative Council, the Board of Trustees, and led the United Methodist Women for over 40 years.

She was the loving, faithful daughter of Dr. William Lawrence Howell and Ina Parsons Howell, of Ellerbe. She was preceded in death by her parents; four siblings, Mary Hunter Howell (infant), Thomas Parsons Howell, William Lawrence Howell Jr. of Raeford, and James Baldwin Howell of Greensboro; and nephew, William Lawrence Howell III of Woodruff, South Carolina. Surviving her are loving nieces and nephews and their spouses: Kristin Howell, David Howell (Charlotta), Ann Howell Pate (Warren), Tom Howell (Kim), Winborne Howell Gautreaux (Tim), and Shirley Howell, widow of W.L. Howell III.

The funeral was held at Ellerbe United Methodist Church June 23, 2019 at 3 p.m.

Burial was in Parsons Cemetery, Cartledge Creek Road.

Designated memorials may be given to Ellerbe United Methodist Church, Kemp Memorial Library, Ellerbe, or Rankin Museum, Ellerbe.

Online condolences may be made at www.watson-kingfuneralhome.com Watson-King Funeral Home in Rockingham is serving the Howell family.

 

Amelia Barnes

Amelia Ann Collier Richards Barnes of Raeford died Saturday, June 22, 2019 at Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in Fayetteville.
She was born at the Reeves Clinic in Hope Mills on May 11, 1951 to Irvin Collier and Flossie Jacobs Collier. She was preceded in death by her siblings, James McVicker, Bobby McVicker, Billy McVicker, Ronnie McVicker, Ray Collier, and Virginia Lou Bertram. 
She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren, and family dinners, especially holidays. She also loved reading, working with flowers and plants in the yard, decorating for holidays and her cats. Her family and time with them were the most important things in her life. 
She is survived by a daughter, Jennifer Michelle Richards of Irwin, Pennsylvania; a son, Gregory Adam Richards and wife Lisa of Parkton; four grandchildren, Caitlyn Davis, Scarlett Richards, Charles Richards and Shayla Richards; the father of her children, Charles E. Richards; and a sister, Doris Mahlum of Desert Hot Springs, California.
Visitation will be held 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, June 25, 2019 at Crumpler Funeral Home in Raeford.
The funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 26, 201 at the Crumpler Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Jay Barr officiating. Burial will be in the Alloway Cemetery.
Condolences to the family may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com 

Jerry Johnson

Jerry Johnson of Raeford died Sunday, June 16, 2019 at his home surrounded by his family.
He was born in Robeson County on May 22, 1951 to Myles Franklin Johnson and Elizabeth Ann (Lib) Johnson. He was preceded in death by his brother, Mike Johnson. 
He retired with the Department of Corrections as a correctional officer. He was an avid golfer, fisherman and hunter. He enjoyed horseback riding with his wife.
He is survived by his wife, Eros Scull Johnson of Raeford; a son, Frank Johnson and wife Christy of Raeford; three grandchildren, Dallas Johnson, Shelby Johnson and Sydney Johnson; and a brother, Terry Johnson and wife Cathy of Raeford.
Visitation will be 2-3 p.m. Wednesday, June 19, 2019 at Crumpler Funeral Home 131 Harris Ave. Raeford. 
A Celebration of Life memorial service will follow at 3 p.m. in the chapel, with Lynn Ellis presiding.
Memorials in his honor may be made to: The American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478 Oklahoma City, OK 73123 and FirstHealth Hospice, 150 Applecross Road, Pinehurst, NC 28374.
Condolences to the family may be made at www.crumplerfuneralhome.com.

Anita McRae

Anita McRae 61, of Raeford, died Tuesday, June 11, 2019.  The funeral will be at noon on Saturday, June 15, 2019, at Purcell Funeral Home, Laurinburg.  

Condolences can be made at purcellfuneralhomes.com 

Dennis D. Purcell

Dennis Dequan Purcell, 17, of Raeford, died Tuesday, June 4, 2019.  Affectionately known as Quan, from an energy-filled little boy, he was unforgettable to anyone who encountered him. He was born on July 21, 2001, to Dennis Purcell and Sarah Morris Purcell. He attended Pinecrest High School and was in the graduating Class of 2019. He was also a beloved member of Rock Salvation Ministry in Raeford.

He had a smile that could light up the room; you could always find him making other people literally laugh out loud with his jokes, singing, and impressions. He loved spending time with family, especially his cousins and his older sister, Vernita. He and his big sister were inseparable. He was a friend and brother to many. A member of the Pinecrest football team, he was a true servant leader who encouraged and mentored younger players. He was an athlete, a maturing musician, and a rookie hunter. 

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, George Morris Jr. He will be lovingly remembered by his parents, Dennis and Sarah Purcell, and his sister Vernita Purcell, all of the home. He is also survived by his maternal grandmother, Bernice Morris, and his paternal grandparents, Walter Ree Purcell and Glinnie Mae Purcell, all of Raeford; his aunts, Jenell (Greg), Clara (Carl), Ann (James), and Marilyn; and uncles, James (Jackie), Kenneth (Barbara), and Tony. 

Online condolence can be made at purcellfuneralhomes.com