All Obituaries

John “Junior” Junious Leslie, age 76, of Sanford, NC, died Thursday, August 5, 2021 at Liberty Commons Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. He was born in Harnett County on March 9, 1945 to the late Walter Bernice Leslie and Addie West Leslie.  Junior worked for the Parts and Service Departments for both the Ford and Nissan Dealerships.  He was a NASCAR racing fan, especially for Dale Jarrett and Dale Earnhardt. He is survived by his wife Beverly Mauldin Leslie;...

Shelba Riddle Rackley, age 84, of Sanford, NC, passed away on Monday, August 2, 2021 at Central Carolina Hospital. She was born in Lee County on April 14, 1937 to the late O.D. “Buck” Riddle and Sarah “Sadie” Katherine Hall Riddle.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by brothers Oded Riddle, Charlie Riddle and Robie Riddle; sisters Dollie Boyd, Joyce Chorney and Bertie Poindexter. Shelba was a lifelong member of the Church of God faith with 34...

Rebecca Ann Gales Pressley, age 81, of Sanford, passed away on Monday, August 2, 2021 at her home. She was born in Lee County on March 2, 1940 to the late Troy Albert Gales and Elizabeth Fowler Gales.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Glenn R. Pressley; sisters Marie Groce and Adele Clark and sister-in-law Martha Gales.  Rebecca worked for many years at the Lee County Sheriff’s Department and was proud to have been the first female deputy...

Faye Jeffers Clark Sechler, 74, of Sanford died July 31, 2021 surrounded by her family at her home. Mrs. Sechler was born in Lee County, on Dec. 16, 1946, to the late Herbert Jeffers and Ellie Oldham Jeffers.  She is preceded in death by her parents; son Justin Clark; and siblings, Gladys Hayes, Buster Jeffers, Dorothy Martin, and Patty Sue Jeffers.  Faye worked as a shipping clerk for Carnes Company in Jonesboro. Surviving relatives husband, Donald “Don” Sechler of...

Mary Cameron Thomas, age 99, of Sanford, NC, died Saturday, July 31, 2021 at FirstHealth Hospice in Moore County. She was born in Harnett County, NC on June 27, 1922 to the late David Parker Cameron and Nancy Stewart Cameron.  In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Arthur “Bud” Thomas, Jr; a daughter Janice T. McNeill; brothers, James, Archie, Neil, Duncan, Willie, Eugene, Lonnie, Norman, Gilbert, and Clarence Cameron.  Mary was retired...

Richard Stanley Sistrunk, Sr., age 71, of Sanford, NC, passed away Friday, July 30, 2021 at Wake Med Cary Hospital. He was born in Brookhaven, Mississippi on December 1, 1949 to the late James Dudley Sistrunk, Sr. and Helen Anna Wilson Sistrunk.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two infant siblings and his wife Jackie Tart Sistrunk. Richard joined the Jonesboro Heights Baptist Church Staff as Church Administrator in August of 2011. He started his career in...

Sallie Ines Williams, 87, of Sanford NC, passed away peacefully July 29, 2021 in Kinston, NC. Sallie was born Harnett County, on September 5, 1933, to the late William Jefferson Maddox and Nina Elizabeth Womack Maddox. She was a home-maker and farmer along side her late husband Owen “Bob” Williams.  Mrs. Williams is preceded in death by a brother William Watson Maddox and sisters, Kathleen D McWaters, Elizabeth McWaters, and Maize Maddox. She is survived by her son, Owen...

Kimberly Cher Gilmore, age 47, of Sanford, NC, passed away on Sunday, July 25, 2021 at her home. She was born in Lee County on February 25, 1974 to the late Clarence and Victoria Gilmore Dunn. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her grandfather Bill Gilmore.  Kimberly worked with her grandfather at Bill’s Grill where some of Sanford’s best hot dogs were served for many years.  She was a great Mom who treasured time spent with her family. She is...

Sue Smith West, age 74, of Sanford, NC, died Saturday, July 24, 2021 at the FirstHealth Hospice House in Pinehurst, NC. She was born in Lee County, NC on October 28, 1946 to the late Adrian L. Smith, Sr. and Carrie Lynn Craig Smith of Sanford.  In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her mother and father-in-law Joseph A. “Monk” West and Betty Lou West.  Sue was born and raised in Sanford and was a member of Jonesboro Presbyterian Church.  She...

Carl Wayne Waddell, age 61, of Sanford, NC, died Friday, July 23, 2021 at his mother’s home. He was born in Lee County, NC on November 1, 1959 to the late John Alexander Waddell and Louise Arnold Waddell of Sanford.  Carl worked for Moen for 30 plus years and was the best automobile mechanic around.  He loved his family and his dogs and was always there for his mother.  His daughter and grandchildren were close to his heart. Carl was a member of Wayside Evangelical...