BUNN - Bennie Claybourne Harper, of Bunn, formerly of Rocky Mount, died Tuesday morning at Nash General Hospital after battling pneumonia and lung cancer.

Mr. Harper was born on Sept 22, 1924 in Bunn to Mavis Ophelia Mullen Harper and Bennie Clay Harper.  He is predeceased in death by his brother, Carl E. Harper.

Mr. Harper graduated from Bunn High School, and attended King’s Business College in Raleigh and Louisburg College.  He served in the US Navy during World War II as Quarter Master 3rd Class on the USS Lloyd.  He graduated from Nash Community College in 1977 with Associate Degrees in Accounting and Business Administration.

As a master furniture maker, he made museum quality furniture, such as a Queen Anne dining table and chairs, and a display table for the Rocky Mount library donated by the Rocky Mount Garden Club.

In retirement, he spent many happy hours playing trains, and was a long-time member of WARM (Wilson Areas Railroad Modelers Inc.) and several other railroad clubs.

In 2010, Mr. Harper fulfilled his lifelong dream of returning to his home place, renovating and moving back into the house he was born in.

Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Bunn Baptist Church with the Rev. Michael Spain officiating. Burial will follow in Bunn Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the cemetery.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Josephine W. Harper; two daughters, Linda H. Fairweather of Bunn, Debra H. Gutenson of Lovettsville, VA; three grandchildren; two nieces; and four grand-nephews; grand-dog, Blondie.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the New Vision Fund of Bunn Baptist Church,  P.O. Box 144, Bunn, NC 27508.

Arrangements are by Strickland Funeral Home & Crematory, Louisburg, www.stricklandfuneralhome.net.

Paid Obituary