Joyce McLamb, co-founder of Carlie C's IGA, dies at 87
Joyce McLamb, who co-founded a Cape Fear region independent grocery store chain with her husband Carlie C. McLamb Sr., died Tuesday at age 87.
In 1961, the McLambs opened a small country store in Johnston County and moved it to Dunn a year later. It was the first of what would become Carlie C’s IGA, a grocer built on fresh, quality meats, fair prices and customer service with 33 locations in 16 counties.
The company remains at the helm; the McLambs' son, Carlie C. "Mack" Jr., is the president.
More: McLamb, founder of Carlie C's grocery stores, dies at age 78
A fire destroyed the original store in 1984. It wasn't insured, but the McLambs reopened it with the help of local businesses, employees, friends and family.
The couple bought two more stores in Dunn, then closed the original store and converted it to his company headquarters and a meat processing plant.
In 1988, the McLambs opened a store in Spring Lake and another in Fayetteville six months later. After Winn-Dixie closed its North Carolina stores in 2005, Carlie C's IGA stores moved into three of its Cumberland County locations.
Joyce McLamb's pecan pies and nine-layer yellow cake with chocolate frosting have been signature items of the chain's bakeries for years.
“Joyce McLamb was deeply respected by her colleagues, peers, and customers, and her impact on her community will be felt for many generations to come,” a news release from Carlie C’s IGA read. “The Carlie C's IGA family extends its deepest condolences to the McLamb family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
Her husband died at age 78 in 2015. The couple was married for 60 years.
Joyce is survived by two daughters, Toni Ann Strickland, her husband, Buddy, and Carla Sue Lubbers; a son, Carlie C. (Mack) McLamb, Jr. and his wife, Zada; seven grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren; a sister, Jan Dempster, and a brother, Kilby Strickland; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Skinner & Smith Funeral Home, 905 Erwin Road in Dunn. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the Campbell University Butler Chapel, 60 T.T. Lanier St. in Buies Creek.
Reporter Taylor Shook can be reached at tshook@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Joyce McLamb, co-founder of Carlie C's IGA, dies at 87
