J.H. “Jake” Austin
Mr. J.H. “Jake” Austin of 308 West Elwood Avenue, died Tuesday, February 2 in Manor Care of Pinehurst at the age of 95.
He was born December 30, 1914 in Hoke County to the late James H. Austin Sr. and Ida Gunter Austin. He was a member of Raeford First Baptist Church. His wife, Doris B. Austin, preceded him in death. He was owner and operator of Austin Insurance Agency. He graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 1936 with a degree in Business. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at Raeford Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church, 333 North Main Street, Raeford.
Survivors include his son, Tony Austin and his wife Catherine of Raeford; a daughter, Sally Austin of Chapel Hill; and a granddaughter, Jan Hughes-Austin of Boulder, Co.
Contributions may be made to First Baptist Church Christian Academy, 333 North Main Street, Raeford, NC 28376.

Lester E. Baker
Lester Elwood Baker went to spend eternity with his Lord and Savior on Monday, February 1, 2010. He passed away peacefully in his recliner at Elmcroft Assisted Living of Southern Pines after 86 years of life.
He was born on February 6, 1923 in Hoke County. He is preceded in death by his wife, Olga Uribe Baker, his parents, William Baker and Nonie Lancaster Baker, a sister, Elizabeth Marie Baker, and a brother, Leonard Allen Baker.
Survivors include his daughter, Yvonne Harrell and husband Robert of Southern Pines; two granddaughters, Mandy Luck and husband Jonathan and Lesley Craven and husband Josh, all of Pinehurst; two sisters, Polly Clark and Mary Southern, both of Raeford; a niece, Barbara Johnson of Raeford; two nephews, Lester Southern of Raeford and Jamie Johnson of Hickory; and several great nieces and great nephews
He retired from the U.S. Department of Defense as an education specialist and did freelance writing in Washington, D.C. After his retirement, he came back home to Raeford and purchased the Wagon Wheel Restaurant, which he operated for more than 16 years. He was a charter member of Raeford Evangelical Methodist Church and was strong in his Christian faith. Prayer and Bible Study were an important part of his daily life. He was happiest when visiting with family and friends. He enjoyed keeping up with current events of the day on FOX News, keeping a close eye on the stock market, collecting bells, traveling, listening to his reading machine, and eating a meal of fried chicken, a bottle of Sunkist, and candy of any kind, and spending time with his “great-granddoger”, Sophie.
The family will receive relatives and friends between 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, February 3 at Crumpler Funeral Home, 131 Harris Avenue, Raeford and at other times at the home of Mary Southern, 316 Palmer Street, Raeford.
The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, February 4, 2010 at Raeford Evangelical Methodist Church. Burial will be in Raeford Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Samaritan’s Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607. Please make checks payable to Samaritan’s Purse and on the memo line, please note that it is “In memory of Lester Baker.”

William K. DeVane
William Kenneth DeVane, 80, of 2787 Gobbler Lane, Eastover, died Sunday, January 24, 2010 in Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in Fayetteville. He served two years as an Army sergeant. He was a veteran of the Korean War and a Purple Heart recipient. He retired from National Linen Service. His parents, Junie F. and Duel S. DeVane, two brothers, Odis DeVane and Cecil DeVane, and his mother-in-law, Rena Melvin, preceded him in death.
A memorial service was held Thursday, January 28 at 6 p.m. in Salem United Methodist Church with the Rev. Bill Snotherly and the Rev. Donald Ray Johnson officiating.
Survivors include his wife, Phoebe C. DeVane of Eastover; one son, William Mark DeVane and his wife Gina DeVane of Eastover; two daughters, Cindy Sanders and her husband Vic Sanders of Eastover and Loretta Nelson and her husband Gary Nelson of Bradenton, Florida; four brothers, J.F. DeVane and his wife Edith DeVane, J.B. DeVane and his wife Brenda DeVane, Dan DeVane and his wife Alice DeVane, formerly of Raeford, and Vernon DeVane and his wife Linda DeVane; three sisters, Noter L. Short, Dorothy Tatum, Faye McCormick and her husband Henry McCormick; grandchildren, Rhonda West, Sarah Ryan and her husband Ronnie Ryan, Hannah Nelson, Rebekah Nelson, Joshua Nelson, Paige Lovick and her husband Grey Lovick, Tiffany Matthews, Daniel Clowers, Samantha Smith and her husband Matt Smith, Adam Sanders, Jason West and his wife Stacy West; and great-grandchildren, Courtney West, Lucas West, Madison Smith, Matthew Smith, Cody Ryan and Kelci Ryan.
Memorials may be made to the William Kenneth DeVane Memorial Fund, Salem UMC, 2165 Middle Road, Eastover, NC 28312.

Pfc. Gifford Hurt
Pfc. Gifford Hurt, 19, of 116 Hollow Lane, Raeford, died Wednesday, January 20, 2010.
The funeral was held at noon Friday, January 29 in Wiseman Mortuary Chapel in Fayetteville. Burial was in Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery in Spring Lake.
Survivors include his wife Rotanza Hurt of the home; one stepson, Draquan Ray; his mother, Lisa Davis; and siblings, Ashley Trapp, Tarique Thompson, Malik Thompson and Alyssa Thompson.
Wiseman Mortuary of Fayetteville served the family.

Bessie M. Lee
Mrs. Bessie Mae Lee, 96, of Raeford, died Sunday, January 24, 2010.
The funeral was held at 1 p.m. Saturday, January 30 in Dothan Presbyterian Church in Maxton. Burial was in McLeod Cemetery in Maxton.
Survivors include nieces and nephews.
S&L Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Maxton served the family.

Reather Dobbins
Mrs. Reather Dobbins, 84, of Raeford, died Thursday, January 28, 2010.
The funeral will be held Wednesday, February 3 at 2 p.m. in Buffalo Springs Missionary Baptist Church. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Survivors include two daughters, Mary Dobbins and Nadine Ellerbe; two sons, Zephree Dobbins Jr. and Willie Dobbins; three sisters, Juanita Malloy, Christina Hills and Thelma Coleman; 21 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild.


Mabel F. Jacquez
Mabel Fern Jacquez, 78, of Concord, died Friday, January 29, 2010.
A graveside service was held at 2 p.m. Sunday, January 31 in Raeford Cemetery.
Survivors include three sons, Dale Ridenour, Robert Ridenour and William Ridenour; four brothers, Glenn Morgan, Harry Morgan, Gale Morgan and Matt Morgan; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Crumpler Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 131 Harris Avenue, Raeford, served the family.