Laurinburg

Rosemary McCoy Lemmond, 101, died Thursday, January 13, 2011.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday at the First United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in Hillside Cemetery.

She is survived by her daughter, Rosemary L. Ritzman (Frank) of Raleigh; a daughter-in-law, Edna Lemmond of Laurinburg; five grandchildren, Fred Lemmond (Melissa) of Henderson, Nancy Maultsby (Alex)of Dunn, Paul Lemmond (Teresa)of Laurinburg, Michael Lemmond (Wendy)of Greensboro, and Lutie Ritzman-Cain (Jac) of Raleigh; nine great grandchildren, seven great-great grandchildren, 13 nieces, 4 nephews, and numerous great-nieces and great nephews. She was preceded in death by her son, F. M “Ricky” Lemmond, a grandson, Rufus Charles Lemmond; her husband, Fred Baxter Lemmond, her brothers, C. L. McCoy, Jr., Lloyd, R. F. “Mutt”, Donald, and Charles, and her infant sister, Lutie.

She was born in Laurinburg on October 24, 1909, the second child of the late Clarence L. and Lutie walker McCoy. She graduated from Laurinburg High School, Peace College and Women’s College, now UNC-G. Returning to Laurinburg, she rejoined the First Methodist Church and became active in many of its programs. She served on numerous committees and was a long-term member of the Administrative Board. She was a member of the Wesleyan Service Guild, which later became part of United Methodist Women. She served in several officer roles as local, district, and conference levels, In 1964 the conference UMW dedicated its annual meeting to her, and honor she was not present to accept as she was traveling abroad. When her son, Ricky, started high school, Rosemary began a 23 year service as adult counselor for the Methodist Youth Fellowship. She was an early advocate of civil rights, organizing and participating in interracial events at a time when such activities were controversial.

She was a life member of the Pilot Club. She held several offices at the local level including president and at the state level. She received the Past Governor’s award in 2001 for outstanding and devoted service.

Her love of literature and the arts was expressed in her participation with the Scotland county Arts council, the Literary Guild, The Thursday Afternoon Book club, and Friends of the Library. In the mid 20th century there were few opportunities for people in and around Laurinburg to attend professional musical performances, so Rosemary was instrumental in organizing Community Concerts, which brought at least three professional music groups or soloists to town each year. Later she became a local contact for membership in the Friends of the College concert series.

She worked as medical secretary for several doctors in Laurinburg. For the first few of those years her “office” desk in the hallway of the surgical suite at the hospital. Later, when the doctors moved to their own office building and formed Laurinburg Surgical Clinic, she moved with them. She retired at the age of 69.

After retirement, she continued to enjoy church and community service work, including longtime volunteer work with Hospice of Scotland County and at Morgan Center. She participated in numerous Elderhostel trips and also traveled extensively with family members.

Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 101 W. Church St., Laurinburg, NC 28352 or Hospice of Scotland county PO Box 1033, Laurinburg, NC 28353.

Visitation will be 3-5 p.m. Sunday at McDougald Funeral Home and Crematorium.