Harold Freeman McFayden, 95, of Ellerbe, passed away Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023 at FirstHealth Hospice House in Pinehurst.
He was born Sept. 1, 1928 in Richmond County to the late Colon A. and Etta F. McFayden.
He was a graduate of Ellerbe High School and an active member of Mount Carmel Presbyterian Church. His career was in the poultry industry working for Ellerbe Poultry Company, Perdue Farms and Piedmont Poultry.
He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He and his wife taught their children the value of a strong work ethic and the joy of a strong Christian faith. He enjoyed planting and harvesting a large garden for many years. In his later life, he planted the fields with longleaf pines and enjoyed the work associated with that endeavor.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Mildred (Peggy) Bost McFayden; son, Jerry McFayden; brothers, Ralph McFayden, Colon McFayden and Willard McFayden and sisters Jean McFayden and Lillian Sherrill.
He is survived by daughters, Elaine Francis of Aberdeen, Ellen Jones (Dan) of Mount Gilead, and Laura Farrell (Robert) of Aberdeen; a son, Larry McFayden (Lynette) of Wilmington; grandchildren, Melinda Benson (Graham), Robert Farrell (Lindsay Rhodes), Stephen Farrell (fiancé Mariah Nichols), Rebecca Jarrells (Billy), Daniel Jones (Ashley), James McFayden, Timothy McFayden (Katie); great-grandchildren, Faith McFayden, Grace McFayden, Hope McFayden, Greylon Jones and Harold Benson; daughter-in-law, Ruth McFayden Freeman; brother, Robert McFayden (Marie); and numerous nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Mount Carmel Presbyterian Church Cemetery with the Rev. James B. Watson officiating.
The family will greet friends following the service.
Memorials may be made to Mount Carmel Presbyterian Church, in care of Tommy O’Neal, P.O. Box 895, Ellerbe, NC 28338.
Condolences may be made online at carterfuneral.net.
Carter Funeral Home of Ellerbe is assisting the McFayden family.
