Mr. Neal Edwin Musselwhite, age 82, of Lumberton, NC, passed away peacefully on April 15, 2026, surrounded by family, after a brief but valiant fight with cancer.

He was born in Robeson County, NC, on November 26, 1943, to the late Neal Archibald "Archie" Musselwhite and the late Gertrude "Gerthie" Patterson Musselwhite.

Edwin lived a life defined by hard work, humility, curiosity and understated generosity. Born with a natural mind for engineering, he began his career at The Robesonian, where he served as an electronics technician, press engineer and, above all, a dependable problem solver. His wife, Brenda, worked alongside him at The Robesonian, beginning a partnership that would span both family and work for decades.

After earning his general contractor's license, Edwin left the newspaper to build a life and a livelihood through construction. He designed and constructed homes for his loved ones, including the house where his children were raised, a home for his mother after she lost everything in a fire, and rental properties located throughout the community.

Edwin also built the commercial space that anchored his brother's auto parts and repair business, constructed and improved the fellowship hall, sanctuary and steeple for Barker Ten Mile Methodist Church, and even converted the former train depot into the Robeson County History Museum. Many of these structures still stand, quiet testaments to a life well lived.

More than anything, Edwin was a man of faith and service, showing up with his tools, his time and his talent when someone was in need. He also enjoyed simple pleasures, deep relationships and a lifelong passion for restoring classic Mustangs.

Those who knew Edwin understood that his legacy cannot be measured simply in years or accomplishments. It lives on in the lives he touched, the lessons he taught and the example he set.

In addition to his parents, Edwin was preceded in death by his loving wife of 45 years, Brenda Dianne Everette Musselwhite, in 2015 and one sister, Peggy Musselwhite.

Edwin is survived by his son, Anthony Musselwhite, and wife, Holly, and their children, Jack and Janie, all of Raleigh; one daughter, Kimberly Pipho, and husband, Anthony, and their children, Aaron of Raleigh and Isabella of Greenville (NC); one brother, Ronald Tracy Musselwhite, and wife, Annette, of Lumberton; and his special companion, Joyce Townsend Floyd.

A time of visitation will be Friday, April 17, 2026, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Floyd Mortuary & Crematory, Inc., 809 E. 5th Street in Lumberton.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at 11:00 am at Antioch Baptist Church in Lumberton, with Pastor Mark Meadows officiating. Burial will follow in Gardens of Faith Cemetery, 5190 N. Fayetteville Road in Lumberton, NC.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the building fund at Antioch Baptist Church, 5089 Old Whiteville Road, Lumberton, NC 28358.