Harry McRae Inman, 85, of Hamlet, peacefully passed away Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023, at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital-Richmond from a brief illness.
He was born on Nov. 29, 1937, in Cordova, Richmond County, the youngest child of the late Willie Hyman and Missouria Elizabeth Inman, whom he dearly loved.
Harry was a veteran of the United States Navy, proudly serving for four years. He made a lifelong friend while serving on the USS Saratoga. They crossed the Equator on that ship which was celebrated by the Navy as a “big event” back in the early 1950s. His time in the Navy started this young boy of 17 on the journey to become a man, taking him to many countries and seeing many cultures during this journey.
Harry was a family man and a people person. He was most happy surrounded by his friends and loved ones. In his younger days, Harry was an avid fisherman. He would take his friends and family on fishing trips, staying the whole day enjoying the camaraderie. It didn’t matter whether he caught a fish or not, he just enjoyed the relaxation of being with friends and family.
Another big part of Harry’s life was the Masons. He was a devoted member of the Rockingham Masonic Lodge No. 495 for nearly 60 years, with several of these years as lodge treasurer. With the approval of his lodge brothers Harry engaged professionals and some lodge brothers, including himself, to do repairs on the old lodge building to help bring it somewhat back to its jubilant days. He loved this lodge and his lodge brothers.
Harry worked many jobs over his lifetime providing for his family, from an insurance salesman to a hospital security guard, but the longest and most rewarding position he held was a supervisor in the knitting department of the Sara Lee Hosiery Plant in Rockingham. He retired from this plant in 1993 with 30 years of service.
Harry was preceded in death by his parents; a dearly beloved granddaughter, Sharee’ Smith Andreu; a stepdaughter, Debbie Barnes; four brothers and six sisters; and three precious dogs.
Surviving is his wife of 32 years, Sherry Watson Pappert Inman of the home; children, Anne I. Andrews (Randy) of Stedman; Sherry I. Howell (Danny) of Smithfield; step-granddaughter, Sherry Reynolds of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; great-grandchildren, Mariana “Mia” Andreu and Enrique “Mac” Andreu of Herndon, Virginia; special grandson-in-law, William Andreu of Herndon, Virginia; his dedicated feline buddy, Mr. Kitty, a tuxedo cat; and many nieces and nephews.
Mr. Inman’s immediate family will only be receiving family and friends at Watson-King Funeral Home in Rockingham on Oct. 15, 2023, between the hours of noon and 2 p.m. A private graveside service will be held at a later time with Pastor Bobby Mumford presiding.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Masonic Home for Children, 600 College St., Oxford, NC 27565; or to the Humane Society of Richmond County at, P.O. Box 2064, Rockingham NC 28380.
Online condolences can be made at watson-kingfuneralhome.com. Watson-King Funeral Home in Rockingham is assisting the Inman family.
