Mary Jenkins Cilley

Mary Jenkins Cilley, 94, of Newton, NC, passed away on March 22nd, 2026, at Abernethy Laurels in Newton. She was born on December 20, 1931, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to the late Reverend Walter R. Jenkins and Notie Hedrick Jenkins.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, J. Harper Cilley, III, as well as an infant brother.

As the daughter of a United Methodist minister, Mary lived all over western North Carolina in communities where her father served appointments to local United Methodist churches. Among the communities that she lived in while growing up were Shelby, Thomasville, Murphy, Lexington and Yadkinville. She graduated from Norwood High School when her dad was serving First United Methodist Church in Norwood.

During her family’s time in Thomasville when her father was serving as pastor of Fair Grove United Methodist Church, Mary played the piano for the first time for a church service when she was only 8 years old and thus began her career in church music. Her very first hymn that she ever played for the church service at Fair Grove was “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” and it remained among her most favorite hymns throughout her church musical career.

After earning a bachelor’s degree from Greensboro College in music as well as a master’s degree from Northwestern University in Chicago wherein she majored in music and organ performance, she came to Newton to serve as the choir director and organist of the First United Methodist Church in Newton. She also served during that time as the youth director, secretary and church administrator.

Mary taught piano lessons for a number of years at both Maiden Elementary School and Balls Creek Elementary School as well as in her home in Newton. She also taught organ lessons and was happy that many of her students went on to play the organ for churches in the community when they became adults.

It was during the time that she served as organist and choir director at the church that she met her future husband, J. Harper Cilley III, who was a lifelong resident of Newton and sang in the choir. They were married by her father, Reverend Walter R. Jenkins, at First United Methodist Church on August 15th, 1954.

Mary went on to later serve as the supervisor of placement at the Employment Security Commission in Catawba County for a number of years and assisted many employment applicants in successfully gaining meaningful employment. She also served as the organist at the First Presbyterian Church in Newton until her retirement from that post.

During her retirement years, Mary took an active role in volunteering in the community. Among the organizations that she volunteered for were Adult Life Programs, Hospice, Catawba Valley Medical Center as well as activities at her church.

Those left to cherish her memory include: Son, John Harper Cilley, IV, and wife, Constance Fish Cilley, of Hickory, NC; Grandson, John Harper Cilley, V, of Hickory, NC; Granddaughter, Emma Marie Cilley, of Hickory, NC; and Step-Granddaughter Chloe Ennis of Hickory, NC.

The family would like to express a very special word of appreciation to Terri and Clint Brewington as well as to Betty Miles for the many years of assistance and friendship that they all provided to not only Mary but also to her late husband as well. The family would also like to acknowledge and thank all of the staff and caregivers at Abernethy Laurels in Newton for their years of providing compassionate, meaningful care and assistance for her.

A service to celebrate Mary’s life will be held on Palm Sunday, March 29th, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., at First United Methodist Church in Newton. The Reverend Josh Sherfey will officiate. The family will receive friends prior to the service in the Welcome Center of the church at 1:00 pm. Burial will be at Eastview Cemetery in Newton after the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Pipe Organ Fund of the First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 926, Newton, NC 28658.

Please sign the online guestbook on the Memorial Wall at www.jenkinsfuneralhome.net. The Cilley family has entrusted arrangements to Jenkins Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Newton 828-464-1555.