DUNN — Carlie C. McLamb Sr., founder of the successful small-town grocery chain Carlie C’s IGA and a generous supporter of Campbell University, died on Saturday at the age of 78.
McLamb opened his first store in 1961, and today, there are 14 Carlie C.’s in central North Carolina. In 2011, Campbell dedicated the Carlie C. and Joyce McLamb Environmental Science Center, home of four laboratories and equipment for research in environmental sciences, biology, chemistry and physics.
“Carlie C. McLamb was outstanding community leader, businessman and friend to Campbell University,” Campbell President Jerry Wallace said Saturday. “Carlie C. and Joyce built one of the most successful independent grocery chains in the state and region. I could not be more proud that he spent his final years as a valued member of the Campbell University Board of Trustees. I will miss his gentle spirit, stories and thoughtful insight.”
A recipient of the IGA International Retailer of the Year and the North Carolina Retail Merchants Association’s Retailer of the Year, McLamb was the founding president of the Mary Stewart Lions Club and founding member of Standard Bank and New Century Bank. In addition to his role as trustee at Campbell, he served on the board of trustees for Betsy Johnson Hospital and served on the Central Carolina Community College Foundation, Dunn Area Planning Board, Dunn Chamber of Commerce, Harnett County School Advisory Board, Aversboro Fire Department and other civic and charitable organizations.
McLamb is survived by his wife Joyce, two daughters, a son, seven grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, his mother and two sisters. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday at Butler Chapel on Campbell’s main campus. The family asks that memorials be made to Leslie United Methodist Church in Dunn or to the Mary Stewart Lions Club.
Successful grocer, Campbell trustee Carlie C. McLamb dies