Ervin Bruce Meares, 70, of Lumberton, passed away Friday, November 1, 2013 at his home. He was born in Robeson County on November 3, 1942 to Rudolph and Myrtle Norton Meares, both of whom preceded him in death. Mr. Meares was a lifelong member of Antioch Baptist Church, where he had served as a deacon and a trustee, was a memer of the "Fishers of Men" Sunday School Class, and had traveled to Honduras for 13 years as a member of the church mission team. He was on the Board of Directors for Allenton Volunteer Fire Department and served as a Captain in the department. He also served for many years on the Southeastern Fire and Rescue College Committee. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Linda Rising Meares; two sons, Bruce Meares and Kevin Meares and wife, Melissa; seven grandchildren, Austin, Kaitlin, AJ, Jordan, Brent, Blayre, and Jaden; two sisters, Hazel Taylor and Sybil Cox and husband, Albert; special brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Lucille and Danny Storms, Donna and Jeff Hester, and Leroy and Betty Rising; many nieces and nephews, and a host of friends.