MEDLIN

Bruce Alexander Medlin, 79, of Aberdeen, passed away Sunday, March 20, 2011, at his home.
He was born April 25, 1931, in Moore County, to the late Raymond and Florence Burnette.
He was a 1951 graduate of Cameron High School. Bruce was drafted into the U.S. Army as a military policeman and after returning home, he worked at Burlington Mills, in Raeford, and then he started the Red Barn Dance Hall. In 1959, he began a career with Johnny Ferguson at Johnny’s Bar and Grill on May Street. Then in 1966, he purchased the business, and in 1982 he moved Bruce’s Tavern to Pennsylvania Avenue where the family still operates the business. He was a member of the Southern Pines Elks Lodge, Woodmen of the World, the American Legion, of Aberdeen, and was a former member of the Moose Lodge. He sponsored many youth baseball and adult softball leagues. Bruce was known for his kindness for sponsoring many charity events for the people of the community. He was an avid NASCAR fan and a N.C. State fan. He loved his family and his friends.
Bruce is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 51 years, Dorothy “Dot” Riley Medlin; one son, Terry Medlin and wife, Donna, of Carthage; two daughters, Cheryl M. Smith and husband, Mark, of Pinehurst, and Dee M. Riley and husband, Shawn, of Whispering Pines; a daughter-in-law, Diane Medlin, of Aberdeen; eight grandchildren, Richard Medlin, Jonathan Medlin, Adam Medlin, Sydney Smith, Taylor Smith, Chad Smith, Brittney Riley and Paige Riley; two sisters, Effie Marks, of Cameron, and Ruby Carlyle and husband, Freddie, of Cameron, and a brother, Robert Burnette and wife, Mary, of Cameron.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 24, at 3 p.m. at Bethesda Presbyterian Church with the Very Rev. James Buchholz and the Rev. Jonathan Wallace officiating. Burial, with military honors, will follow at Bethesda Cemetery in Aberdeen.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, March 23, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Boles Funeral Home in Southern Pines.
Memorial contributions may be made to FirstHealth Hospice, 150 Applecross Road, Pinehurst, NC 28374.
Online condolences may be made at www.bolesfuneralhome.com.
Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines is serving the family.