Laverne "Mac" Mcinnis, Jr.

LaVerne ‘Mac’ McInnis, Jr, 84, of Laurinburg passed away on September 2, 2025.

Born September 26, 1940 in Robeson County, he was the son of the late LaVerne and Elsie Dunn McInnis. Mac graduated from Maxton High School where he excelled in athletics and earned a basketball scholarship to Pembroke State College (UNC Pembroke). He was a fierce competitor but always humble about his talent and accomplishments including an article in the New York Times for his impressive full-court, game winning shot.

Mac started his teaching and coaching career at Orrum High School and later retired from Scotland High School. Mac mentored countless students during his 40 years of teaching and coaching football and basketball. He coached many great teams through the years including competing in the NCHSAA Basketball State Championship in 1973. Like most coaches Mac enjoyed winning but developing character in young student-athletes is what was truly important to him. Mac approached teaching Driver’s Education just as he did coaching. It was important to him to make sure every student understood the personal responsibility of driving a car.

After retiring Mac enjoyed volunteering in his community through the Kiwanis Club, Special Olympics, Scotland County Democratic Party, and the Board of Elections. When he was not volunteering, Mac could be found working in his yard and tending to his vegetable garden that was known for producing an assortment of vegetables, especially tomatoes and collard greens. He found great joy in growing all of the vegetables to share with his friends. He was captivated by the behaviors of Blue Birds and once he was able to regularly attract pairs to his yard he began to pass the knowledge to others in the community. Mac also enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren who gave him the special title of BopBop.  He was a lifelong member of the Maxton First Presbyterian church where he served as a Deacon, an Elder, and a proud member of the Friendly Bible School class.

Mac is survived by his son, Thomas Andrew ‘Andy’ McInnis of Laurinburg; daughter, Jennifer McInnis Wiggins (Allen) of Raleigh; sister, Linda Henderson of Maxton; and two grandchildren, Augustus Carrigan Wiggins and Harper Millikin Wiggins. He was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Mary Edna Millikin McInnis.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to all the friends, former students and players that called and visited Mac during his illness. We have all been touched by the support of the ‘Mighty Raiders’ from Orrum High School.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at the First Presbyterian Church, Maxton.  The family will receive friends in the fellowship hall following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Mary Edna Millikin McInnis Health Sciences Scholarship, Richmond Community College Foundation, P.O. Box 1189 Hamlet, NC 28345, or by going to this link  https://square.link/u/id70o7Hr .

Bumgarner Family Funeral Service and Crematorium is assisting the McInnis family.

Online condolences can be made at www.bumgarnerfunerals.com.

 Mary Edna Millikin McInnis Health Sciences Scholarship, Richmond Community College Foundation 
PO Box 1189, Hamlet NC 28345
 Web:   https://square.link/u/id70oHr