Margaret Taylor Harper dies at 92 years on October 11, 2009

Margaret Taylor Harper, 92, of Southport died Sunday, October 11, 2009, at Duke University Medical Center of complications following a stroke.

She was born February 17, 1917, in Southport, daughter of Charles Edward and Jessie Stevens Taylor. She was graduated from Greensboro College in 1937 and was a lifelong member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Southport, where she was organist for more than 50 years.

She was married to James M. Harper Jr., publisher of The State Port Pilot newspaper, who preceded her in death in 1994. She edited the Southport newspaper during a period of World War II when her husband was in service, and served as executive secretary of the North Carolina Press Association from 1969 to 1978. She is a member of the North Carolina Journalism Hall of Fame.

Mrs. Harper, a former president of the N.C. Federation of Women's Clubs, carried the banner for women in North Carolina politics by twice seeking the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor, in 1968 and 1972. She later served as a trustee of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, trustee of Blue Cross/Blue Shield of North Carolina, member of the Board of Governors for Research Triangle Institute, and director of Carolina Power and Light Co.

She is survived by two sons, James M. Harper III and wife Ginger of Southport, Edward T. Harper and wife Sally of Southport; four grandchildren, James M. Harper IV and wife Holly of Nashville, Tenn., Margaret Tuttle and husband Joe of Greensboro, Julianne Hollingsworth and husband Robert of Arden, Morgan Harper of Southport; seven great-grandchildren, Kathleen and Clay Tuttle of Greensboro, Sierra Shell and Anna Holcomb of Arden, Jonah Gouger, Joshua Mote and Marisa Mote, all of Southport; a sister, Elizabeth Kiddoo of California. She was preceded in death by her sister Anna and her brother Edward.

She is missed so.

Ginger Harper
A memorial service will be held Sunday, October 18, at 2 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church in Southport. Visitation will be at 1 p.m. in the church fellowship hall.

You may offer condolences at www.peacocknewnamwhite.com

Peacock-Newnam & White Funeral and Cremation Service, Southport

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