Ross Buchanan

Ross Buchanan, 84, of Broadway passed away on August 5, 2021 after a prolonged battle with heart disease. Ross was born on September 4, 1936 to William B. and Shirley M. Buchanan. He was the third of six children.

He was predeceased by: his wife Frances Dickens Buchanan; his 3 brothers- Billy (Annaberyl), James, and Johnny; and brothers-in-law Lincoln Neal and Jim Revill. He is survived by his four adult children: Rose Hartsell (Vic), Anne Hockett (Herschel), Hope Buchanan, and Keith Buchanan; grandchildren- Victor Hartsell, Kathryn Johnson, Meredith Hardister, Benjamin Hockett, Andrew Hockett, and Abby Buchanan; great-grandchildren- Harper Hardister, Knox Johnson, Presley Johnson, Brody Hockett, and Isaiah Hardister; sisters- Nell Neal and Linda Revill; and multiple nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.

Ross was a graduate of Boone Trail High School where he played basketball and baseball, and also drove a school bus. He carried his love for basketball into his adult years and played on a city league team in Sanford. He did the same in a softball city league.

Ross was a simple man, one old-school in his beliefs and, along with his wife Frances, raised their children to believe in God, respect for authority (he didn’t spare the rod), hard work (including the children), saving for a rainy day, living below one’s means, and helping others. Providing well for his family was his primary goal. To do so, he worked a public job while farming tobacco, grain, corn, & soybeans. Farming was his passion. He worked with Saco-Lowell until he hired on with the Department of Corrections- a job he worked 30 years. Public work was not his passion, but he did so because he believed a husband & father should do everything necessary to provide for the family. He often said he couldn’t have done any of what he did without his wife, Frances, who reared the children, putting three meals a day on the table, while canning & freezing all the vegetables she harvested from the garden, making a hand in the field, and keeping a clean house.

His greatest joys in retirement were his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. To them he was Papa and big Papa. He loved a good plate of jumbo shrimp and flounder from Hudson Bay Seafood and a hot dog from the Dairy Freeze. But his favorite meal was turnip salad, fatback, fried cornbread, and a good sweet potato. It was as joyful to watch him with his grands and great-grands as it was to witness him consuming his favorite foods. He loved to spend time at his shop, catching the cross-breeze while watching traffic go by, visiting with those who stopped by, and taking frequent naps. It was a happy place for him. Checking the block and growth progress of crops was another pleasure for him.

Ross was a life long resident of Harnett County and the Holly Springs Baptist Church community. He was a lifetime member of Holly Springs Baptist Church. Funeral services will be held at the church on August 7, 2021 at the graveside, at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the HSBC Friendship class for use in its shut-in outreach would be appreciated by the family, as Ross always looked forward to their calls and cards. The family wants to recognize the love and care provided by Maria Arajo. She supported both Frances and Ross, and in doing so became a valued and loved family member.

In accordance with current North Carolina COVID-19 guidelines, the funeral home requests that everyone in attendance practice social distancing and wear a face covering.   

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