Richard Hardaway Monroe

Mr. Richard Hardaway Monroe, 78, of Lumberton, NC, passed away Tuesday, March 22, 2022. He was born in Laurinburg, NC on February 14, 1944 to the late Paul Howard Monroe and the late Ella Lee Hardaway Monroe. 

He grew up in Rockingham, NC where he attended public school. During high school, he was active in student government, belonged to various clubs, and was the manager of the football and basketball teams. He was also the lead singer in a local rock band.  

After high school, he attended Appalachian State Teachers College, Pembroke State University, and Francis Marion University. For 28 years, Mr. Monroe taught junior high and high school Social Studies and English, most of which was done at Lumberton High School.

Following his teaching career, Mr. Monroe served for 12 years as Personnel Specialist for Public Schools of Robeson County. During that time, he received the Excellence in Cultural Education Award from the Visiting International Facility for his work with foreign exchange teachers. He also received the North Carolina Friend of the Arts Award from the North Carolina Arts Council for his efforts to recruit more art and music teachers for the public schools. Mr. Monroe also served on the adjunct faculty of Robeson Community College for 27 years.

During his career, Mr. Monroe won many honors and awards. He was voted Teacher of the Year eight times and was first runner-up for North Carolina Teacher of the Year. He received a Fulbright Hayes Fellowship and studied in Asia. When the Public Schools of Robeson County merged in 1989, Mr. Monroe was a founder and the first President of The Robeson Association of Educators, serving three terms in office. He was then District President of the North Carolina Association of Educators. He served on several committees of The North Carolina Association of Educators and The National Education Association, as well as serving as a delegate to both state and national conventions. For three years, Mr. Monroe wrote a weekly column for The Robesonian entitled “From The Schoolhouse” which informed the public of issues takin place in local education.

Mr. Monroe was a longtime member of Chestnut Street United Methodist Church where he served as Secretary and later as Chair of the Staff Parish Relations Committee, the Worship Committee, the Finance Committee, the Council on Ministries, and as Chair of the Music Committee. Following his retirement, he served as a Deacon at Bethesda Presbyterian Church in Aberdeen and also served on the church’s Food Pantry Team, the Board of Ushers, the Worship Committee, the Family Promise Team, and the Bethesda Church Partnership for Aberdeen Elementary School.

Mr. Monroe was past President and Vice President of The Robeson County History Museum, a member of the Lumberton Rotary Club, served on the Board of Directors of Communities in Schools, and was President of Rediscover Downtown Lumberton. He was a former member of the Red Springs Jaycees and the Sons of the American Revolution. Mr. Monroe was twice the recipient of the Lumberton Community Volunteer Award sponsored by the Lumberton Area Chamber of Commerce and received the Better Carolina Award sponsored by Mountaire Farms. Mr. Monroe also received the Southeastern Health Life Time Commitment Award. He served as Chairman of the Lumberton Area Chamber of Commerce Image Committee and was founder and treasurer of the Robeson County Community Art Guild.

Mr. Monroe is survived by his wife, Anne Eleanor McMillan Monroe of the home; a sister, Dr. Diana M. Henshaw of Seven Lakes, NC; a brother, Paul Howard Monroe, Jr. and wife Frances of Fayetteville, NC; a niece, Donine S. Henshaw of Tucson, AZ; a nephew, Scott D. Henshaw and wife Leshia and their sons, Grayson and Blake Henshaw, of Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Along with his parents, Mr. Monroe was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Dr. Dan M. Henshaw.

The family will receive friends and loved ones on Saturday, March 26, 2022, from 5:00-7:00 PM at the home, 1708 N. Elm Street in Lumberton, NC.

A graveside memorial service will be held on Sunday, March 27, 2002, at 2:00 PM at the family plot in Eastside Cemetery in Rockingham, NC.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to your favorite charity.