Lumberton — Robeson County residents mourn the deaths of three men working in various offices in the county and its community last week, including the chairman of the Lumberton tribe. It was.
Lycurous Lowry died on Sunday and is remembered by many as a longtime member of the Robeson County Drainage District, a board member of the Robeson County Agricultural Administration, and a farmer.
Raleigh was awarded Honorary Membership by the Robeson County Commission in November for more than 50 years of service in the Back Swamp district. He also served as president of the Robeson County Agricultural Department for approximately 41 years before retiring in 2018.
Robeson County Commissioner Lance Herndon remembers meeting Raleigh while working on a family-owned farm with his father, and how well Raleigh represented the county at the state level as a member of the Farm Department. I am.
“He confirmed that our needs for our agricultural community were being heard at the state level,” Herndon said.
“He will be terribly missed,” Herndon added. “We are certainly grateful that he did for our county.”
“He has always been an advocate for the Lumbee people and especially the farmers,” said James Locklear, editor of Native Visions Magazine.
According to Rockria, Lowry has heard a lot about the floods he experienced, such as the time he spent on his family’s farm and the 1945 Homestead hurricane that affected his home.
“Drainage was a big deal for him because he was experiencing some floods,” Rockria said.
Robeson County Agricultural Administration YF & R and the Women’s Commission issued a statement on Facebook on Sunday to commemorate Raleigh.
“Mr. Lycurous has always been an advocate of agriculture, rural life, and the community. He didn’t know strangers, and was usually the most popular (and most expensive) person in the room. He was to the end. He ran farming and served the community. His legacy will survive, but my goodness will be lost. Well done, thank you Lycurous. “
Cherena Smith, clerk of the Robeson County High Court, also issued a statement on Sunday.
“The Senior Court Secretary’s Office mourns Lycurous Lowry’s death. Mr. Laurie has been a devoted servant of Robeson County for many years and shared his knowledge, time and energy. We I am grateful. His presence and contribution will be greatly lost. I would like to extend my deepest condolences to my family with the staff. “
The Lambies mourn the death of former tribal president Paul Brooks Sr., who died on Saturday.
“Today, our thoughts and prayers are with the family of former Lambie president Paul Brooks,” reading part of a statement released by the tribe on Sunday.
“Mr. Brooks died Saturday night. Ramby Tribal Chairman Harvey Godwin, Jr., executive order to lower the flags of all Ramby tribal facilities to 14 and a half days in honor of former Chairman Brooks. Mr. Brooks was the chairman of the fourth Rambi tribe elected by the public. He served the Rambi tribe in North Carolina from 2011 to 2016. His family and our Rambi Don’t forget the prayers of the tribal community, “said the statement.
James Locklear remembers playing softball with Brooks’ son and writing a news article about Brooks on the school board of a public school in Robson County. He was a member of the Board of Education from 1992 to 2000 and chaired the Board of Directors in 1995 and 1996.
“He worked well on that school board and they did a lot,” Rockria said.
Brooks was a member of the Lambie Regional Development Association in the 1970s. He was appointed to the North Carolina India Affairs Committee in 1991 and chaired the committee in 1993. In 2010, Governor Beverly Purdue appointed Brooks to the State’s Golden Reef Foundation.
Locklear called Brooks a “pioneer” and represented his people and helped them gain more rights.
“Paul has always been an advocate for the Lumbee people,” Locklear said.
“He loved his people,” he added.
Mark Morse, owner and operator of Lumberton’s Chick-fil-A, issued a statement about Brooks, after Morse partnered with the tribe to serve a meal at an event celebrating Lambie’s veterans in 2013. I called him warm and friendly.
“Now I have the privilege of hiring two of his grandchildren for the past year or more. If I knew nothing else about Paul Brooks, from the character, maturity and spirit of these two young people, I know everything I need to know, “Morse said in a statement released Sunday.
“Thank you for leaving a lasting legacy for our community, and more importantly, your children and their children. Rest comfortably with the Savior tonight, Paul.”
Wybis Oxendin died Wednesday, but left a legacy of services, including time as a county commissioner, a justice of the peace, and an educator in Robeson County.
According to the county commissioner, Oxendin served as a county commissioner from 1982 to 1990.
According to his son Wybis Oxendin Jr., he also served as an educator for over 20 years.
“He was a talented person,” Rockria said. “He was really able to sing.”
Oxendin was also a talented athlete.
“He had a contract to play a minor league ball for a Twins minor league affiliate with his evil three-digit fastball, but they signed him when he served his country in the Air Force. I abandoned it without knowing what I did, “said Oxendin Jr. In the statement.
“He was a proud politician who led Prospect High School to the basketball championship and fought for his community. He was one of the first Native Americans to graduate with a master’s degree from Harvard University. (He’s very proud and reminds me if I’ve challenged him to know more than he is), he was a security judge, county commissioner, Henry Berry Raleigh The award winner, educator, and most of all, he was a father. “
And his father’s memory will remain alive, Oxendin wrote.
“The story he shared and the subsequent stories shared by those who know him best live like the ancient myths of legendary folklore, similar to Greek mythology and similar literary stories.” He is writing.
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