Mrs. Mildred Jean (Walden) Capel, 90, of Southern Pines, North Carolina entered into eternal rest on Thursday, May 29, 2025.  

Mildred “Jean” Walden Capel passed away peacefully on May 29, 2025, in her home. She  was born on July 2, 1934, in West End, NC, to the late James Walden and Sarah Goins  Walden. The youngest of six children, she graduated Valedictorian (along with many other  awards and honors) from Pinckney High School in Carthage, NC, in 1951. She turned down  full scholarships to various colleges to marry Felton J. Capel, Sr., from the Windblow Community in Ellerbe, NC. Two of her favorite teachers, Mr. Hosea Brower and Mr. Fred  Lutz, begged her to continue her education. She loved to tell everyone that she told them  she “was going to attend The University of Felton J. Capel and get her an FJC, not a PhD!”

In 1953, two years after getting married, Jean and Felton Capel made their home in  Southern Pines, NC, after a brief stay in Long Island, NY. After settling in Moore County, the young couple achieved success in business, politics, community activism, civics, and  philanthropy.

Jean Capel was a devoted wife to Felton for over seven decades, a loving mother, and a  grandmother who raised three successful sons. Her pride and joy were her family,  especially her “three boys”. She was a loving grandmother to all her grandchildren, who  affectionately called her “Mema.” She never missed any of her sons’ or grandchildren’s  sporting events, graduations, or any special occasions in their lives. Her love also extended to her great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews, neighbors, coworkers, and friends. Everyone who knew her loved her, and that love was reciprocated to each and every one of them a hundredfold.

As an outstanding cook, Jean Capel always had food prepared in case family or friends  “just happened to drop by.” Neighborhood kids playing in their backyard with her sons while  growing up, still talk about the hot dogs, hamburgers, and sandwiches she always made for  them. She has satisfied the appetites of celebrities like Lee Elder, Dean Smith, Stedman  Graham, and Michael Jordan, as well as business icons Earl Graves, Sherwood Smith, Robert J. Brown, Julius Chambers, and Voit Gilmore in her home.

In addition to assisting her husband, Felton, with the operation of Century Associates of North Carolina (established in 1958) and The Cardinal Recreation Park (established in 1962), Jean Capel worked in the office of the late Dr. Francis Owens, and later at St. Joseph of the Pines Hospital, first in the X-Ray department, and also as a Medical Records  Specialist for 43 years. While there, she was instrumental in helping others in the community secure employment at the hospital.

Jean Capel was very encouraging to all, especially young women who she urged to go to Sandhills Community College for nursing and, more times than not, pay for their tuition. This led to the establishment of the Felton & Jean Capel Scholarship Fund to assist deserving students at Sandhills Community College. Other endowments followed at Fayetteville State University and North Carolina Central University. There is also an endowed chair in the Performing Arts Department at Fayetteville State University.

Jean Capel was a lifetime member of the NAACP, a member of the Southern Pines Town Beautification Committee, the corresponding and public relations secretary for the senior choir at Harrington Chapel Free Will Baptist Church, a member of The J.W. Peek Choir, past secretary and member of the West Southern Pines Civic Club, past Board of Directors  member for The Campbell House, The United Way of Moore County, The Democratic  Women’s Club and Past President and member of the Community Helpers Club.

Jean Capel was a caregiver not only to her Mother, but to her “Mother-In-Love,” Elnora Leak  Capel, and all of her sisters, uncles, and aunts (and anyone else for that matter) when they  became elderly. She and her husband, Felton, spent countless hours volunteering at St. Joseph of The Pines, feeding and caring for patients who could not feed or care for themselves.

Mildred “Jean” Walden Capel’s life motto was from her favorite gospel song: “If I can help  somebody as I travel on, then my living will not be in vain.” Everyone who was ever lucky  enough to encounter her on her life’s journey, has benefited in some way, either through her  love, her grace, her generosity, her kindness, or maybe even just her smile. When she was not lending a hand, she was constantly working with her hands: healing, cooking, canning, or preparing fresh fruits and vegetables.

Jean Capel was preceded in death by her parents, James Walden and Sarah Goins Walden, her loving husband, Felton Jeffrey Capel, Sr., her eldest son, Felton Jeffrey Capel, Jr., her  sisters, Ruth Walden Jones and Alberta Walden Reeves, her brothers, Albert Walden James  Edward Walden and Harold Walden.

She leaves to honor and cherish many fond memories, two remaining sons, Mitchell G.  Capel (Pat) and Kenneth O. Capel (Joyce); her daughter-in-law, Jerry Saunders Capel; her  grandchildren Felton Jeffrey Capel, III (Kanika), Jason Maurice Capel, (Ashley), Christopher  Gregory Capel, Julian Wesali Capel (Megan), Angele Capel McIver (Dennis), Daniel Oriel  Capel and Mason Armon Capel; ten great-grandchildren; and countless cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and caregivers.

Please keep the family and friends of Mrs. Mildred Jean (Walden) Capel in your thoughts and prayers.

In lieu of floral arrangements, charitable contributions can be made to Cardinal Recreation Park, PO Box 37, Pinebluff, NC 28373, in remembrance of Jean Walden Capel’s love and life.

Arrangements are entrusted to McLeod Funeral Home of Southern Pines, North Carolina.