Johnny Carroll Harper

Johnny Carroll Harper, 73, traded in his earthly body for a perfect eternal one in Heaven on Saturday, April 22, 2023 at the SECU Hospice House in Smithfield, NC. He spent his last two weeks on earth there, as he spent his whole life, surrounded by his loving family - laughing, playing music, and thanking the Lord for His blessings. Born on December 23, 1949 to B.A and Emma Spence Harper, he was the youngest of seven siblings and lived his entire life in Clayton, NC. Music was always an integral part of Johnny’s life; it was at a gospel sing featuring The Harper Family and The Wise Family Singers that he met the love of his life, Diane, when she asked to play his bass guitar. Johnny and Diane travelled up and down the East Coast playing music with several groups and eventually settled in Clayton to raise their son Chris, twins Sonya and Tonya. Johnny loved southern gospel music, going to church, woodworking in his shop, and working in his yard, Jones’s hot dogs, Mt Olive “pickles”, and Chubb’s Chicken. After 40+ years as a truck driver for Pepsi Cola and Papa John’s, he and his wife retired and spent many happy weekends at the beach with their children and grandchildren. Johnny persevered through multiple health issues with his devoted wife and caretaker, Diane, by his side. Above all, Johnny loved the Lord and always thanked Him for all of the blessings God gave him. Even though the last few years of his life were filled with challenges, Johnny left a legacy of immeasurable strength and unwavering character that amazed his family and friends till the end.

A Celebration of Life will be held 3:00pm on Thursday, April 27, 2023 in the chapel of McLaurin Funeral Home with Rev. Mike Carswell and Rev. David Sutphin officiating. The family will receive friends at McLaurin Funeral Home from 1:30-2:30pm before the service. Interment will follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Diane Wise Harper; son and daughter-in-law, Chris and Andrea Harper of Selma; daughter and son-in-law, Sonya and Dave Mulhollem of Archer Lodge; daughter and son-in-law, Tonya and Kevin Green of Archer Lodge; grandchildren, Tyler, Travis, Tucker and Tallan Green; Dylan and Macy Mulhollem; Levi, Emma, and John Luke Harper, and Ruben Santiago; sisters, Frances Barbour and Martha Gilmore; and bulldog, Chewy Grace. He was greeted in Heaven by his parents B.A. and Emma Harper; brother, J.B. Harper; sisters, Jerlene Harper Bagley, Alene Harper Holland, Mary Harper Evans; daughter-in-law, Danielle Harper and granddaughter, Micayla Jo Harper.

The family would like to extend a special heartfelt thanks to the nurses and aides of Transitions Hospice and SECU Hospice House, especially Cody, Scott, Obed, Bernadette, Elaine, Melanie, June, and Ruth for the loving care and companionship they provided in Johnny’s final months.