John Edwin Lilley, age 84, of Jamesville, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, April 6, 2019, after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He passed away at his home, secure in the love of his family and his Lord.

John was born on Dec. 23, 1934, in Jamesville. He and his brother, William Earl “Bill” Lilley, were raised with much love by their mother, the late Betty Mobley Lilley. John was married for 64 years to Virginia Price Lilley. He retired from Weyerhaeuser in 1995 after a 38-year career in the company’s Logging Operations. John was a member of Cedar Branch Baptist Church, where he served as a Deacon. He had a lifelong love for flying, and was a charter member of the Plymouth Flying Club and co-owner of B & L Aviation. Music was another one of John’s passions. He was self-taught on the guitar, bass guitar, mandolin and banjo. Prior to his illness, he greatly enjoyed singing and “playing music” as a ministry to patients at local nursing homes.

John is survived by his wife, Virginia, and two daughters, Debbie Roberson and husband Bruce, and Sharon Thompson and husband Stanley; as well as two sons, John Edwin Lilley, Jr. and wife Jamie, and Danny Robert Lilley and wife Jamie.

He is also survived by his seven grandchildren: Steven Roberson and wife Lauren, Sarah Tyson and husband Matt, Clint Thompson and wife Roxie, Robert Thompson and wife Maggie, Adam Lilley and wife Evan, John Thomas Lilley and wife Savanna, and Ryan Lilley. He also leaves behind two great grandsons: Jacob Roberson and Walter Tyson. John is pre-deceased by his mother, Betty Mobley Lilley; his first grandchild, Susan Roberson Thompson; and his brother, William Earl “Bill” Lilley.

John and his brother, Bill, married sisters Virginia Price and Alice Ruth Price, so the two families were blessed with a very unique closeness. John enjoyed a special bond with Bill and Alice Ruth’s children: Allison Stone and husband Duke, Victor Lilley and wife Jamie, and Amy Edwards and husband Hank, as well as Bill and Alice Ruth’s grandchildren and their families: Matthew Stone and wife Amanda, Anna Pippins and husband Bradley, Ashley Reason and husband Danny, Kellen Gurkin and husband Elliott, Karson Edwards, Konnor Edwards and Paige Lilley.

The family received friends at Cedar Branch Baptist Church in Jamesville at 1 p.m. on Monday, April 8, 2019, with a funeral service following at the church at 2 p.m. Burial will be at Jamesville Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Jamesville Community Fire and EMS (PO Box 17, Jamesville, NC 27846) or to the Amedysis Foundation (201 E. Water St., Plymouth, NC 27962).

Biggs Funeral Home, LLC is assisting the Lilley family and condolences may be made at www.biggsfuneral.com.