John "Rig" Meredith McInnis

John Meredith “Rig” McInnis, 82, of Rockingham, passed away Wednesday, July 22, 2015 at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst. Rig was born December 13, 1932 in Ellerbe, NC, a son of the late Robert M. “Bob” and Sallie Mae Roberts McInnis. He had attended Ellerbe High School, was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Ellerbe, and a former member of the Ellerbe Civitan Club. He had worked with McInnis Motors, Industrial Sheet Metal and later was self employed as a welder. He was appropriately nicknamed Rig, as he loved to work with his hands fixing things. There was no tool that he didn’t have. He was especially proud of the swings he had recently made for his granddaughters. He loved all of his family, especially his great grandchildren who could bring a smile to his face when nothing else could. He also enjoyed Nascar, cars, boats and his time at the lake. Surviving are his wife of 57 years, Barbara Russell McInnis of the home; children, Robert M. McInnis and wife Pam of Ellerbe, Dawn McInnis Snead and husband Robbie, of Rockingham; grandchildren, Meredith Bailey Barber and husband Will of Ellerbe, Lindsay McInnis Thomas and husband Joel of Holly Springs, Maggie McInnis Smith and husband Ryan of Ellerbe; and great grandchildren, Madelyn Grace Barber of Ellerbe, Shelby Rose Barber of Ellerbe, Lilly Rae Thomas of Holly Springs, Rylee Paige Thomas of Holly Springs, Russell Lane Smith of Ellerbe and Caroline Elizabeth Smith of Star. Funeral services will be at 11 am Saturday at First Presbyterian Church, Ellerbe with Rev. Stan Layton and Rev. James Watson officiating. Interment will follow in Ellerbe Cemetery. The family will see friends from 5 to 7 pm Friday at Carter Funeral Home in Ellerbe and at other times at the home. Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 116, Ellerbe, NC 28338.