James Luther McNeill

Mr. James Luther (Luke) McNeill of 510 N. Main Street died Wednesday, August 25, 2010 in his home at the age of 83. Luke was born in Hoke County on February 25, 1927 to the late John K. McNeill and Beulah Burns Lentz McNeill. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Kenneth W. McNeill, John K. McNeill, Jr., and Neill A. McNeill. He was a member of Raeford Presbyterian Church. Having lived in Hoke County his entire life, Luke attended school in Raeford until that fateful date in 1945 when Franklin D. Roosevelt died. It was the same day he was called by the United States Navy to join World War II. Fortunately, the war ended only 18 months later, and Luke was able to return home to graduate from high school with the class of 1947. He then attended East Carolina University, but returned home in 1948 to take his place as assistant manager and part owner of the family business, Home Food Market. In 1950, Luke married his fiancee, Phyllis Baker. Although hed been a member of Raeford Presbyterian Church since 1939, the couple became the first to be married in the, then new, Raeford Methodist Church. Actually, Lukes membership and service in the Presbyterian church has been a great source of pride to him. He served there as deacon for 8 years, as an active choir member and Secretary/Treasurer of the Sunday School. He was also one of the charter members of the Raeford Jaycees. Since his retirement in 1984, Luke has pursued his hobby of photography and videography. His work in these fields has benefited individuals locally and countrywide. His video works include documentation of the Turkey Festivals, Special Olympics and other Hoke events, restoration documentation of the Aberdeen & Rockfish Railroad Depot and the Hoke County Court House, the Hoke County Golden Jubliee and the Raeford Centennial Celebration, in addition to his documentation of the major fires and accidents of Hoke County. These works provide excellent training films for the local fire departments, EMS and Rescue Squad. His efforts have helped many local programs preserve their special moments in film. His Hummingbird photos and videos have been shown in civic clubs, classrooms and TV stations across the state. He has received the Woodmen of the World Award, multiple Paul Green Multi-media Awards, and the Order of the Long-Leaf Pine Award. Finally, after a lifetime of capturing and preserving the stories of Hoke County, Luke McNeill donated this body of work to the Raeford-Hoke Museum to be shared by all interested parties. A Labor of Love shared so unselfishly with the community truly makes Luke McNeill one of our Meritorious Men of Hoke. Survivors include his wife, Phyllis Baker McNeill of Raeford; two brothers: Edwin (Ed) L. McNeill of Raeford and Bobby B. McNeill and his wife Betsy of Raeford; and many loving nieces and nephews. The family will receive relatives and friends at 510 N. Main Street, Raeford, NC. Funeral Services will be 11:00 a. m. Friday, August 27, 2010 at Raeford Presbyterian Church, with Rev. Mark Fisher, Rev. Beth Foster and Rev. Bill Foster officiating, directed by Crumpler Funeral Home. Burial will be in Raeford Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Raeford Presbyterian Church Building Fund, PO Box 1570, Raeford, NC 28376 or Hospice Foundation of Hoke, PO Box 1584, Raeford, NC 28376