John Cilley

Biography John "Harper" Plumer Cilley, III, 91 of Newton passed away Friday, May 23, 2014 at Catawba Regional Hospice in Newton. Born April 20, 1923, he was the son of the late John Harper Plumer Cilley, Jr. and Kate Warlick Cilley.

Harper became a member of First United Methodist Church (FUMC) in 1935 and was married to Mary Jenkins at FUMC by her father, Rev. W.R. Jenkins on August 15, 1954. After attending Newton Conover Schools, Fishburn Military School and Clemson University, Harper served with the U.S. Air Corp in Italy during WW II. He worked with his parents to operate Cilley Hosiery Mill until 1967 and then worked as a Veteran's Representative for the N.C. Employment Security Commission. A faithful member of FUMC, Harper served as church treasurer, on the board of stewards, as a teacher for the Little Bible Class for 40 years, as a choir member and as a lay speaker. He participated on 12 UMC building teams and as a committee member and volunteer at Camp Carolwood. He also served as a Boy Scout leader, a member of The Catawba Masonic Lodge, where he was honored in 2013 as being the oldest living Past Master of the lodge, having been a member since 1952, a member of the American Legion and VFW. Harper also donated 150 pints of blood to the American Red Cross. After his retirement, Harper loved volunteering as a reading tutor for 327 students at South Newton & Thornton Elementary Schools and felt this was one of the most valuable things he ever did. For his lifetime of good works, Harper received the WSOC "9 Who Care" Award, JC Penney Golden Rule Award and Governor's Award for Volunteering. After five confinements at Abernethy Laurels, Harper often returned to visit and cheer the friends he made there. Being with people, especially his Sunday School Class (the Joe Love Class) and friends at the hospital fitness center brightened his day. Swimming, fishing, sailing, hiking, biking, traveling and reading have been some of his favorite hobbies. His final goal was to be able to volunteer at hospice.

In addition to his wife of nearly 60 years, Mary Jenkins Cilley of the home; a son John Harper Plumer Cilley, IV and wife Constance of Hickory; two grandchildren, John Harper Plumer Cilley, V and Emma Marie Cilley of the home; and a step grand-daughter, Chloe Ennis of Newton survive him.

A Celebration of Harper's Life will be 3:00 pm Thursday May 29, 2014 at First United Methodist Church in Newton with The Rev. Dr. David Greene, Rev. Lara "Willis" Greene and Evangelist Betty Miles officiating.

The Catawba Masonic Lodge will provide Masonic Rites and the American Legion Post 16 will provide Military Honors. The Joe Love Sunday School Class will serve as Honorary Pallbearers.

The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the church. A private graveside service will be in Eastview Cemetery prior to the ceremony at the church.

The family wishes to thank caregivers, Betty Miles, Clint Brewington, Joanna Stewart, David Lehman, Melissa Pearson, Lou Ella Phillips and the entire hospice staff.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church PO Box 926 Newton, NC 28658 or to Catawba Regional Hospice 3975 Robinson Road Newton, NC 28658.

Please sign the online guestbook at www.JenkinsFuneralHome.net. The Cilley family has entrusted arrangements to Jenkins Funeral Home in Newton-#828-464-1555.