Dr. Fred McQueen

Fred D. McQueen, Jr. was born on September 13, 1947 at the Laurinburg Maxton Airbase. Fred and his sister Brenda were raised by their grandparents, William and Sarah Cagle in Maxton, North Carolina. Growing up, he was always inquisitive and had a passion for learning. This was evident in the numerous science fairs and exhibits he won awards for. He graduated from Robert Benson Dean High School in 1965 as a top student and president of his class. Fred joined the US Army in 1966 and completed basic training while attending Howard University. He earned a scholarship in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, and he was pinned second lieutenant. A 1969 biology degree graduate of Howard University, he graduated in the top 25 percent of his class and was the president of his senior class. Thereafter, he graduated in 1973 with his medical doctorate from Howard Medical School. While at Howard University, Dr. McQueen pledged Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated in August of 1967. He became the dean of pledges of “The McQueen Supreme 24” and is recorded in the annals of history at Howard University. One of Dr. McQueen’s pivotal moments while at Howard University involved him meeting and marrying his wife, the late Macie Jeanette McQueen, while they were both students. Macie was a “city girl,” while Fred was a “country boy.” Given his “country boy creed” and love for his hometown, he shared with Macie early on that he planned to return home to Maxton, North Carolina. Macie agreed to make North Carolina her future home when Fred proposed, and they were married on her birthday on August 9, 1969. They worked tirelessly together throughout his medical career and shared their plight for equal justice and civil rights. After graduating medical school and before moving back to North Carolina, Dr. McQueen earned the rank of Captain in the US Army and started his internship in the Emergency Room at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, DC. In 1974, he got orders to move to North Carolina to Fort Bragg Air Force Base, where he was a part of the 82nd Airborne division. He became a board-certified physician in 1974 and started moonlighting at Richmond Memorial Hospital in Rockingham. He was later nominated as chief of Richmond Memorial’s Emergency Department before he was recruited by Dr. Bill James in 1977 to the former Hamlet Sandhills Medical Center. He served as chief of staff at Hamlet Hospital, as a medical examiner for the state of North Carolina, and is also credited for recruiting other physicians into the area. In December of 1980, Dr. McQueen opened his private practice in Family Medicine, McQueen Medical Center. Notably, Dr. McQueen was also the first Black doctor to serve as president of the Richmond County Medical Society. Dr. McQueen was a monumental figure in the community and maintained exemplary service and accomplishments in Hamlet, North Carolina. Specifically, he was the president of the NAACP from 1978 – 2015. Under his leadership, the local branch of the NAACP once boasted one of the largest memberships in the state. Among his additional accolades, he received the North Carolina Governor’s Order of the Long Leaf Pine Award, was the honoree for the Richmond County Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Foundation, and the Kuumba Award for outstanding achievement in the community. He was also a land developer who mapped out and developed the lake community of "Shenandoah." In addition, Dr. McQueen and others in the community were instrumental in securing the historical marker for renowned Hamlet-born jazz saxophonist and composer John Coltrane on U.S. 74 Business. Notably, Dr. McQueen was also a winning horse breeder and raced several quarter horses. His accolades show that he lived by his life’s motto, “I am a seeker of truth and I do what I do because my calling is to serve the present age.” One of Dr. McQueen’s greatest joys is the legacy he will leave behind as a father and grandfather. He was committed to teaching his children to be warriors, exude confidence, and be seekers of truth. He lovingly poured his life lessons into his three children: Justin, Pia, and Anwar McQueen; and his six grandchildren. Fred McQueen leaves behind sons Justin McQueen and Anwar McQueen; daughter Pia McQueen; sister Brenda McQueen; former daughter-in-law Tenisha McCoy; sister-in-law Gloria Thompson (Sylvester); nieces Kenya Jones (Jalen, Jarique, and Jaden), Loretta and Anita Thompson, Alex Wells, Antoinette Trice, and MarQuette Greene; nephews Kevin Pipkin (Kevin Jr. and Kiara) and Donta Thompson; Grandchildren Jasmyne, Jada, Robert, Xavier, Zoe, and Kacie; Great-Granddaughter Journee; God Children; Fred McBride, Viangela Liles (Trenton, Morgan, and Kenneth); Jacqueline McQueen and family; and a host of other relatives, extended family and friends. Final rites will be held May 20, 2023 at 11a.m. at Kings Gate International Church, Hwy 74 East in Hamlet, North Carolina. Dr. McQueen was a member of Beta Nu Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity of Lumberton and Laurinburg area. For additional information you may call McMillan Funeral Home of Lumberton, North Carolina at 910-739-3735.

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