Ukie Hallman, Sr. 79, of Sanford, passed away Saturday October 27, 2012. He worked for Saco-Lowell Company for 19 years until the company left. In 1976 he started farming full time. Mr. Hallman sang for 20 years with a gospel group called the Messengers. When the Messengers broke up he joined the Eastern Gate and sang with them until 2010. He attended Cumnock Baptist Church.

Mr. Hallman was preceded in death by his parents Ira Womack and Blanche Hallman Patterson and a son, Ricky Dale Hallman.

A funeral service was held on Tuesday, October 30 at Cumnock Baptist Church, with the Rev. Ken Dowdy, and Merritt Taylor officiating. Burial was in the Cool Springs Methodist Church Cemetery. The family received friends from 12 – 2 p.m. at the church and also at their home in Sanford.

Mr. Hallman is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Margie Collins Hallman; three sons, Ukie Hallman, Jr. of Angier, Andy Hallman and wife Jane of Asheboro and Timothy Hallman and wife Lynda of Sanford; seven grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to O’Quinn-Peebles Funeral Home. Online condolences can be made at www.oquinnpeebles.com.