All Obituaries

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Aubrey L. Nelson known to most as Buddy on March 12, 2026 at the age of 91 after an extended illness.  He was at home surrounded by his wife and children.  Born and raised in Mobile, Alabama he lived a life of quiet wisdom and dedication to his loving family. Buddy had many passions but a particular love for hunting and fishing.  Each season he enjoyed planting and cultivating his garden. No weeds were allowed and he ...

Hal Evans Locklear of Laurinburg passed away at the age of 67 on March 11, 2026.   A beloved father, grandfather, son and brother who will deeply be missed. Hal was one of nine children of Lillie Mae Clark Locklear and the late Arnold Wilson Locklear, Sr., born April 1, 1958 in Laurinburg, North Carolina.  He had a long career that he truly enjoyed with Crop Production, Inc., especially driving trucks for the company.  An avid outdoorsman, Hal loved spending his time ...

Edna Schulze Rhonehouse, age 99 of Summerton, South Carolina, widow of John Rhonehouse, died Friday, December 12, 2025 at her residence. Born September 17, 1926, in Visselhovede, Germany, she was the only child of the late Wilhelm Schulze and the late Dora Dreyer Schulze.  She was a faithful member of the Lutheran Church of the Living Word in Laurinburg, NC. In 1946, she married Warren Brown and from that union were children Michael, Daniel, and Bonnie. In addition to John Rhonehouse, ...

Donnie Freeman Stanton, of Laurinburg, NC, entered into the presence of her Lord and Savior on Monday, March 2nd, 2026, at the age of 90, surrounded by her loving children.  Born May 10, 1935, to the late Willie and Julia Mae Freeman of Gibson, NC, Donnie was a graduate of Gibson High School. She was married to the late James Ralph “Buck” Stanton for 46 years, and together they served the Laurinburg community through Westwood Texaco and Buck’s Exxon for over 40 years. ...

Jerry Ray Wagner, age 71 of Laurinburg, NC passed away on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. He was born in Scotland County on November 19, 1954, loving son of the late Paul and Helen English Wagner. Jerry retired after many devoted years from J.P. Stevens working as an overhaul mechanic. He enjoyed going fishing, working in his yard, and was a gifted woodworker. Jerry also enjoyed listening to the scanner and helping others while working with the wrecker service. He took great joy in creating ...

Terry Richard Hutchins Sr., 88, of Laurinburg passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on March 4, 2026. Terry was born in King, NC to Harry Spencer and Lida Phillips Hutchins. He was an Eagle Scout and graduated from Wake Forest School of Law. Terry was a proud 49-year Master Mason and member of Pilot Lodge #493, and a member of the Scottish Rite. He retired from University of North Carolina at Pembroke where he was the campus attorney and taught business law. Terry also had ...

Mr. Gary Blue, born on April 30, 1943, departed this life and entered his eternal rest on March 3, 2026. His 82 years reflected a life grounded in hard work, determination, and a passion for farming that shaped the values he passed on to his family. He married the love of his life, Mary Blue, on December 7, 1963, and they had five children, Ricky Blue (Shawna) of Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina; Gary Blue (Renee) of Greenville, South Carolina; Denise Hunt (Timothy) of Maxton, North Carolina; ...

Melba Yvonne Thompson Sims went to her heavenly home on March 2nd, 2026, after a lengthy battle with cancer. She was born on February 7th, 1937 in Hamlet, NC, the loving daughter of the late Albert E. Thompson, Sr. and Ruby Austin Thompson. She was preceded in death by her husband, Brent Lee Sims, Sr. She worked as Insurance Coordinator over the years for several local medical offices and retired as Aftercare Coordinator for Richard Boles Funeral Home. She was an avid member of Caledonia ...

Jack Oliver Abernethy, 92 of Laurinburg, passed away March 1, 2026 at Morrison Manor, after a short illness. Jack was born in Scotland County, NC to Mrs. Annie Penny Abernethy and Elbert Clinton Abernethy. In his boyhood years, Jack helped his dad deliver fuel for Harris Ice and Fuel. During his high school years, he was a football standout at Laurinburg High School.  Upon graduation, Jack was drafted into the United States Army, and became a jumpmaster and instructor for Paratrooper ...

Samuel Harris McGirt, 81, passed away on Thursday, January 1, 2026, with family present.  He passed suddenly due to cardiorespiratory arrest, but he continued to entertain and make people around him laugh whenever he was able. Sam, as he was usually known, was born in Dillon, SC, to Murphy Frank McGirt, Sr. and Sarah Blackwell McGirt.  He regularly said that he was the first in his family to be born in a hospital instead of “on the kitchen table” because his father ...