Milton “Mousy” Ray Hunt, 71, of Pembroke, NC was born February 15, 1944 and departed this life into eternity with our Lord Jesus Christ on April 8, 2015.  He was raised by his maternal grandparents, Mr. Harley Hunt and Mrs. Josephine Hunt, also of Pembroke, NC.

 He is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Harley and Josephine Hunt, and his mother Pauline Sawyer. 

   He is survived by his wife, of forty-seven years, Polly Hunt; a son, Anthony Hunt (Amy Hunt) of Pembroke and a daughter, Kimberly Hunt Mertz (Ricky Mertz) of Pembroke, NC; six grandchildren:  Dustin Hunt, Brandy Hunt, Alanna Lawson, Austin Hunt, Angela Hunt, RJ Mertz, Jr.; four great-grandchildren:  Jaden, Ian, Raylon, Addison; three sisters:   Pat Howell (Mark Howell); Pam Prosser, Linda Owens, all residents of Charleston, SC; two brothers:   Michael Sawyer, Kenny Sawyer; and a step-father, James Sawyer, who all reside in Charleston.  Along with immediate and closest family, Milton leaves behind a host of loving relatives and dear friends.

   Milton was the owner of Hunt’s Drywall for over twenty-five years and served as a civil servant occupying the Mayoral seat for the town of Pembroke, NC for an unprecedented thirty-three years.  He served from 1997-2001 as the Chairman of the Robeson County Democratic Party, as a Board of Trustee member at UNC-Pembroke; and, most note-worthy, he was elected and served as the first Tribal Chairman for the Lumbee.  The list of his many contributions is varied and far too long for this program. The walls, of his home office, filled with awards and special recognition plaques are a testament to his selfless dedication.   He was devoted to the community he lived in, his entire life, and was the kind of leader, neighbor and friend any person would benefit from knowing.

   Often affectionately referred to as “Mousy Ray”, he never met a stranger; and, he was very much a tribal/town historian who always had a story to tell, a joke to crack or a question to ask.  Milton will be greatly missed by all.

   A special thank you to a dear niece and cousin, Kyra Deese Long, who helped with the care of her Uncle Milton and who rendered unending support for her Aunt Polly.